Intravenous Dexamethasone and Dexmedetomidine on the Analgesic Efficacy of Erector Spinae Plane Block

General anesthesia was induced with sufentanil 0.5-0.8 ug/kg, propofol 1.5-2.0 mg/kg, and rocuronium 0.5-1.0 mg/kg. Intravenous dexamethasone 10 mg was injected and a 50-ml syringe containing dexmedetomidine 1 ug/kg in 0.9% saline was infused after induction of general anaesthesia over a 30-min period. Anesthesia was maintained by remifentanil and sevoflurane to keep the Narcotrend index reading between 40 and 60.

Intravenous dexmedetomidine 1 ug/kg was infused after induction of general anaesthesia over a 30-min period.

The probe was installed in the sagittal axis in the midline at the L3 vertebral level. The spinous processes were first visualized, after which the probe was lateralized, and the transverse processes and the erector spinae muscle were visualized approximately 3 cm laterally to the midline. The needle was advanced between the transverse process and the deep fascia of the erector spinae muscle from the caudal to the cranial using in-plane technique. The location of the needle was confirmed with 2mL saline solution, after which 20 mL of 0.4% ropivacaine was administered.

Intravenous PCA included 0.9% saline with sufentanil and was programmed to run at 2ml with a 1-ml bolus dose and a 10-min lockout time. The patients with VAS more than 4 despite using intravenous PCA were treated with rescue analgesics comprising intravenous parecoxib.