Abstract:Objective To investigate the clinical application of dexmedetomidine combined with ropivacaine for erector spinae plane block (ESPB) in orthopedic percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy.Methods Select 40 patients who underwent percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy surgery and divided them into 2 groups by randomization: dexmedetomidine combined with ropivacaine for ESPB group (group DR, n = 20) and Ropivacaine alone for ESPB group (group R, n = 20). The DR group was treated with 0.5 μg/kg dexmedetomidine combined with 0.5% ropivacaine for ultrasound-guided ESPB, while in the R group, 0.5% ropivacaine alone was used for ultrasound-guided ESPB. The mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), percutaneous arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) and visual analogue scale (VAS) were recorded at the time of skin incision (T1), muscle separation (T2), intervertebral foramen plasty (T3), nerve root decompression (T4) and skin suture (T5), and the use of intravenous analgesics during operation. The VAS were recorded at 4, 8, 24 and 48 h after surgery, the remedial use of intravenous analgesics within 48 h after surgery was recorded. Patients’ satisfaction and adverse reactions (such as nausea and vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness, puncture site hematoma and nerve injury) were followed up after operation.Results The VAS and MAP at T1~T3 and the VAS at 4 and 8 h after operation in group DR were lower than those in group R; The HR in group DR at T1~T3 was slower than that in group R. The number and total amount of remedial intravenous analgesic drugs used in group DR was less than that in group R in operation and 48 h after operation. Patients’ satisfaction after operation in group DR was higher than that in group R. The VAS, MAP and HR at T4 and T5 has not significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05); The VAS at 24 and 48 h after operation, the SpO2 at each time point and the incidence of postoperative adverse reactions between the two groups have not significant difference (P > 0.05).Conclusion As an auxiliary analgesic technique, ESPB has been widely used in clinical practice. In orthopedic percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy surgery, dexmedetomidine combined with ropivacaine for ESPB can provide better analgesia and sedation during perioperative period, maintain intraoperative hemodynamic stability and improve patient satisfaction.