Epidural Infusion of Dexmedetomidine Improves the Experience of Primiparas Undergoing Cesarean Section with Epidural Anesthesia: A Randomized Double‑Blinded Controlled Study

Abstract Background Dexmedetomidine has arousal sedation and analgesic effects. This study is to investigate the effect of 0.5µg/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 0.5µg/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 < 0.001). No parturient has experienced sedation score of 4 and above. No significant difference regarding the incidence of hypotension, bradycardia and nausea or vomiting, Apgar scores and the overall satisfaction with anesthesia was found between Group R and Group RD (P > 0.05).Conclusion Epidural dexmedetomidine of 0.5µg/kg added slightly extra analgesic effect to ropivacaine in EA for cesarean section. The sedation of 0.5µg/kg epidural dexmedetomidine did not cause mother-baby bonding deficit. Satisfaction with anesthesia wasn’t significantly improved by epidural dexmedetomidine of 0.5µg/kg. No additional side effect allows larger dose of epidural dexmedetomidine attempt.Trial registration: This study was registered at www.chictr.org.cn (ChiCTR2000038853)