Efficacy of dexmedetomidine applied with ropivacaine for thoracic paravertebral blockade in thoracotomy

Objective To explore the analgesic efficacy of dexmedetomidine(Dex) applied with ropivacaine for thoracic paravertebral nerve blockade(TPVB) in thoracotomy. Methods Thirty patients undergoing thoracotomy were randomly divided into two groups(15 patients in each). Patients in one group (group TL) received 0.35% ropivacaine 30 ml for TPVB, while the other group ( group TDL) received 1 μg/kg Dex added into 0.35% ropivacaine 30 ml for TPVB. Thoracic paravertebral patient-controlled analgesia(PCA) was carried out up till 36 h after surgery. The tenderness thresholds on 1 day before surgery, and 12, 24, 48 h and 72 h after surgery were recorded. The consumption of general anesthetics(propofol and remifentanil) during the surgery were also recorded. The incidence of side-effects related to analgesia in the first 3 d after surgery were analyzed. Results The tenderness threshold 24 h and 48 h after surgery in group TDL were significantly higher than in group TL (P<0.05) . Additionally, the intraoperative consumption of Propofol[ (251±13) mg/h vs (211±18) mg/h]and remifentanil[ (0.49±0.05) mg/h vs (0.42±0.04) mg/h]were less than that in group TDL(P<0.05). Conclusions Application of Dex with ropivacaine for continuous TPVB in thoracotomy can relieve postoperative pain. Key words: Dexmedetomidine; Ropivacaine; Field block; Thoracic vertebra; Perioperative; Analgesia