Impact of local administration of various doses of dexmedetomidine on ropivacaine-induced lumbar plexus-sciatic nerve block

The present study aimed to investigate the impact of various doses of dexmedetomidine (DEX) on ropivacaine (ROP)-induced lumbar plexus-sciatic nerve block (LSB). A total of 80 patients who underwent ankle surgery under LSB were divided into group R (applied with 30 ml 5% ROP), Dex1 (30 ml 0.5% ROP + 1 µg/kg DEX), Dex2 (30 ml 0.5% ROP + 1.5 µg/kg DEX) and Dex3 (30 ml 0.5% ROP + 2 µg/kg DEX), with 20 cases in each group. The onset time and duration of sensory and motor block, mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), oxygen saturation, Ramsay score, serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) level and adverse reactions in the four groups were observed. Results demonstrated that the durations of sensory and motor block in group R were shorter than those in groups Dex1-3 (P<0.01), followed by the sequence of group Dex1<Dex2<Dex3 (P<0.05). MAP and HR in groups Dex1-3 at T2-T5 were significantly lower than those in group R (P<0.01), and HR in group Dex3 at T3 and T4 was significantly lower than that in groups Dex1 and Dex2 (P<0.05). Ramsay scores in groups Dex1-3 at T2-T4 were significantly higher than those in group R (P<0.05). Serum VEGF levels in groups Dex2 and Dex3 at T2-T5 were significantly higher than those in group R (P<0.01). The incidences of over-sedation, bradycardia and dry mouth in group Dex3 were notably higher than those in the other groups. In conclusion, 1.5 µg/kg DEX exhibits a superior effect in improving ROP-induced LSB.