Effect of epidural dexmedetomidine in single-dose combined with ropivacaine for cesarean section

Abstract

Abstract Background Dexmedetomidine has arousal sedation and analgesic effects. We hypothesize that epidural dexmedetomidine in single-dose combined with ropivacaine improves the experience of parturient undergoing cesarean section under epidural anesthesia. This study is to investigate the effect of 0.5 µg/kg epidural dexmedetomidine combined with epidural anesthesia (EA) in parturients undergoing cesarean section. Methods A total of 92 parturients were randomly divided into Group R (receiveing epidural ropivacaine alone) Group RD (receiveing epidural ropivacaine with 0.5 µg/kg dexmedetomidine). The primary outcome and second outcome will be intraoperative NRS pain scores and Ramsay Sedation Scale. Results All 92 parturients were included in the analysis. The NRS were significantly lower in Group RD compared to Group R at all observation timepoint (P > 0.05). Higher Ramsay Sedation Scale was found in Group RD compared to Group R (P 0.05). Conclusion Epidural dexmedetomidine of 0.5 µg/kg added slightly extra analgesic effect to ropivacaine in EA for cesarean section. The sedation of 0.5 µg/kg epidural dexmedetomidine did not cause mother-baby bonding deficit. Satisfaction with anesthesia wasn’t significantly improved by epidural dexmedetomidine of 0.5 µg/kg. No additional side effect allows larger dose of epidural dexmedetomidine attempt. Trial registration This study was registered at www.chictr.org.cn (ChiCTR2000038853).

Keywords

• Cesarean section
• Dexmedetomidine
• Epidural anesthesia
• Pain
• Sedation