Effects of different doses of dexmedetomidine combined with ropivacaine for brachial plexus nerve block in children undergoing polydactyly surgery

To observe the anesthetic effect and safety of different doses of dexmedetomidine combined with ropivacaine for brachial plexus nerve block in children undergoing polydactyly surgery. Eighty children undergoing polydactyly surgery were randomized into 4 groups to receive brachial plexus nerve block with dexmedetomidine at 0.25, 0.50 or 0.75 µg/kg combined with 0.25% ropivacaine (0.20 mL/kg) (D1, D2, and D3 groups, respectively) or with 0.25% ropivacaine (0.20 mL/kg) only (control group). The onset time, duration of brachial plexus nerve block, awakening time, success rate, and incidence of complications were compared among the groups. Results In D2 and D3 groups, the onset time and awakening time were shorter and anesthesia lasted longer than those in the control group. The onset time and awakening time were shorter and anesthesia maintenance time was longer in D3 group than in D1 group. The success rates of brachial plexus nerve block were significantly higher in D1-3 groups than in the control group (P