Effect of dexmedetomidine combined with sufentanil for patient-controlled intranenous analgesia after thoracotomy

Objective To evaluate the effect of dexmedetomidine combined with sufentanil for patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) after thoracotomy.Methods Sixty ASA Ⅰ or Ⅱ patients undering thoracotomy were randomly divided into 3 groups (20 cases in each group).Group A:sufentanil 0.04 μug/(kg · h).Group B:sufentanil 0.04 μug/(kg · h) + dexmedetomidine 0.07 μug/(kg · h).Group C:sufentanil 0.04 μg/(kg · h) + dexmedetomidine 0.10 μg/(kg · h).PCIA setting as follows:background infusion 2 ml/h and bolus dose 0.5 ml and lockout interva 10 mins.Mean artery pressure (MAP),HR,SpO2,VAS score and Ramsay sedation score were recorded at 2,4,6,12 and 24 hours after the beginning of PCIA.The number of successfully delivered doses and cumulative sufentanil consumption and side effects such as nausea and vomiting within 24 hours were also recorded.Results There were no differences among three groups in MAP at each time.HR and VAS score in group A were significantly higher than those in group B and C at 4,6,12 and 24 hours (P ＜ 0.05).Group C ＞ group B ＞ group A in ramsay scores at 4,6,12 and 24 hours (P ＜ 0.05).The number of successfully delivered doses and cumulative sufentaml consumption and side effects such as nausea and vomiting within 24 hours were group C ＜ group B ＜ group A (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Dexmedetomidine added to intravenous sufentanil PC A can improve the analgesic efficacy after thoracotomy with less adverse. Key words: Dexmedetomidine; Sufentail; Analgesia; Patient-controlled