ObjectIn this study, we aimed to investigate the beneficial effects of dexmedetomidine on somato-visceral sensory block characteristcs, postoperative analgesia and stress response of intrathecal bupivacaine administration in women undergoing cesarean section, and to find out which dose is better.MethodsSixty parturients with the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I or II were anesthetized with intrathecal bupivacaine(10mg) alone or in combination with dexmedetomidine (3 μg and 5 μg) to undergo cesarean section. The anesthetic parameters, postoperative analgesia and stress responses were monitored.ResultsCo-administration of dexmedetomidine(3 μg and 5 μg) prolonged the duration of motor and sensory block compared with bupivacaine(10mg) alone. Less supplemental dose of lidocaine and fentanyl were required in dexmedetomidine(3 μg and 5 μg) co-administration groups. Visceral traction response and abdominal muscle relaxation in operation were better in dexmedetomidine(3 μg and 5 μg) co-administration groups. No difference in haemodynamics was detected among groups. There was no significant difference in Apgar scores, neonatal umbilical pH, oxygen pressure, carbon dioxide pressure and lactate level among groups. Postoperative plasma IL-6 and cortisol levels were lower in dexmedetomidine(3 μg and 5 μg) co-administration groups. At 6 hour after operation the visual analogue scale (VAS) was smaller in dexmedetomidine(3 μg and 5 μg) co-administration groups. The uterine contraction pain at 6 and 12 hour after operation and supplemental analgesics had no difference across three groups. No difference of side effects(shivering, nausea and vomiting, itching), the first anal aerofluxus time and intraoperation tramadol dose were detected among the three groups.ConclusionThe use of dexmedetomidine especially at the dose of 3μg as an adjuvant to bupivacaine in cesarean surgery provides better intraoperative somato-visceral sensory block characteristcs and postoperative analgesia, which produced no influence on Apgar scores, side effects and stress response.

In this study, we aim to investigate the effect of different doses of dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to hyperbaric ropivacaine in spinal anesthesia for cesarean section. Methods: Seventy-five parturients with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) I or II were anesthetized with intrathecal ropivacaine (12.5 mg) alone (R group) or in combination with dexmedetomidine 3 mg (RD3 group) and 5 mg (RD5 group) to undergo a cesarean section. The anesthetic parameters, postoperative analgesia, stress responses and neonates outcomes were monitored. Results: The onset time of sensory block to T10, T4, and peak level in the RD3 group and RD5 group were significantly shorter than those in the R group (p < 0.05). The time of the level of sensory block to descend two segments and to T10 in the RD3 group(57.28 ± 16.65 min, 3.87 ± 1.60 h) and RD5 group (71.92 ± 10.10 min, 3.99 ± 1.06 h) were longer than that in the R group (40.64 ± 12.06 min, 1.98 ± 1.01 h) (p < 0.05). The median time of motor blockade to both legs score 3 on the Bromage scale (B3B3) in the RD3 group and RD5 group was shorter than that in the R group (p < 0.001). The time of motor blockade recovery to both legs score 0 on the Bromage scale (B0B0) in the RD5 group (3.6 h) was longer than that in the R group (2 h) or RD3 group (2.2 h) (p < 0.001). Visceral traction response and abdominal muscle relaxation during the operation in the RD3 group and the RD5 group were better than that in the R group. The Visual Analogue Score (VAS) in the 12 h after the operation in the RD3 group (3.30 ± 1.17) and RD5 group (2.80 ± 0.87) was smaller than that in the R group (3.80 ± 1.47) (p < 0.05). The incidence of shivering in the RD3 group and RD5 group was significantly lower than that in the R group (p < 0.05). The postoperative concentrations of c-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and cortisol in the RD3 and RD5 groups were lower than that in the R group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: 3 µg intrathecal dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to ropivacaine improved intraoperative somato-visceral sensory block characteristics and postoperative analgesia,

We compared the effectiveness of dexmedetomidine alone and combined with sufentanil for preventing emergence agitation in children under sevoflurane anesthesia. Eighty children scheduled for tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy under sevoflurane anesthesia were randomized into four groups: control, dexmedetomidine, dexmedetomidine with 0.1 μg/kg sufentanil (Dex+Suf1), and dexmedetomidine with 0.2 μg/kg sufentanil (Dex+Suf2). The incidence and severity of emergence agitation was evaluated based on Aono's scale and the pediatric anesthesia emergence delirium scale. The incidence of agitation was 45% in the control group, 20% in the dexmedetomidine group, 5% in Dex+Suf1 group, and 0% in Dex+Suf2 group. The Aono's and pediatric anesthesia emergence delirium scores in the Dex+Suf1 and Dex+Suf2 groups were lower than in the control or dexmedetomidine group during the tracheal extubation (P < 0.05). In the Dex+Suf1 and Dex+Suf2 groups, the time of tracheal extubation was longer than in the control or dexmedetomidine group (P < 0.05). The Dex+Suf2 group had longer tracheal extubation and awaken times than the other groups (P < 0.05). Thus dexmedetomidine with 0.1 μg/kg sufentanil was the optimal dose combination that reduced emergence agitation without prolonging awaken time.