Intraoperative low-dose remimazolam maintenance reduces the incidence of emergence agitation without prolonging emergence time in patients undergoing oral surgery
This protocol describes a randomized controlled trial testing whether low-dose remimazolam maintenance during oral surgery reduces emergence agitation (EA) incidence without prolonging emergence time. The trial will enroll 388 patients, with primary outcome being EA incidence (tested for superiority) and key secondary outcome being emergence time (tested for non-inferiority).
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Intraoperative low-dose remimazolam maintenance reduces the incidence of emergence agitation without prolonging emergence time in patients undergoing oral surgery The current body of evidence comprises 1 study, including 1 randomized controlled trial. EvidenceHub rates the overall confidence at 42/100 (low).
The Claim
Intraoperative low-dose remimazolam maintenance reduces the incidence of emergence agitation without prolonging emergence time in patients undergoing oral surgery
This conclusion is most relevant to: Patients undergoing oral surgery under general anesthesia.
What the Research Shows
The conclusion draws on 1 linked study. Highlights from the cited literature:
- ▸Effects of intraoperative low-dose remimazolam maintenance on emergence agitation and emergence time in patients undergoing oral surgery: protocol for a randomized controlled trial. (Annals of medicine, 2026) —
How It Works
The proposed biological pathway:
- ▸Remimazolam acts as a GABA-A receptor agonist
- ▸Produces sedative and anxiolytic effects during anesthesia
- ▸May reduce stress response and agitation upon emergence
- ▸Result: Lower incidence of emergence agitation without delaying emergence
Who Might Benefit
Evidence fit by population:
- ▸Patients undergoing oral surgery under general anesthesia
Recommended Dose
Low-dose intraoperative infusion (exact dose not specified in abstract)
Limitations & Caveats
Important context when interpreting this evidence:
- ▸Protocol only; results not yet available
- ▸Low-dose remimazolam dose not specified in abstract
- ▸Single surgical population (oral surgery) limits generalizability
Frequently Asked Questions
What is emergence agitation?▼
Emergence agitation is a clinically significant complication during early recovery from general anesthesia, characterized by restlessness, confusion, and agitation.
How many patients will be enrolled in this trial?▼
The trial will enroll 388 patients scheduled for oral surgery under general anesthesia.
What is the primary outcome of this study?▼
The primary outcome is the incidence of emergence agitation, tested for superiority of remimazolam over placebo.
Is this study completed?▼
No, this is a protocol paper describing a planned randomized controlled trial; results are not yet available.
References
- 1.Hu X, Fu C, Bi G, Tan Q, Ying Y, Zhao W, Cai X, Yin N, Wang X, Liu H, Meng L, Ji FH, Sun Q, Zhao B, Liu H. “Effects of intraoperative low-dose remimazolam maintenance on emergence agitation and emergence time in patients undergoing oral surgery: protocol for a randomized controlled trial..” Annals of medicine, 2026. PMID: 42433169 DOI: 10.1080/07853890.2026.2700794