Abstract:Objective To investigate the effect of dexmedetomidine intercostal nerve block on pain after radical resection of esophageal cancer. Methods A total of 90 patients who received radical resection of esophageal cancer in Xuzhou Central Hospital from June 2017 to May 2018 were selected and divided into study group and control group randomly (n=45,each).All patients were treated with thoracoscopic and laparoscopic radical esophagectomy and intercostal nerve block for analgesia.The control group was given ropivacaine injection.The study group was given dexmedetomidine on the basis of the control group.The vital signs (HR,MAP,SpO₂) of the two groups were recorded at 4,8,12 and 24 hours after the operation.Visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to evaluate the degree of pain and Ramsay sedation score was used to evaluate the sedation status of the patients.Serum levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT),substance P(SP),β-endorphin (β-EP) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) were measured in both groups.The operation conditions of the two groups were recorded. Results At 4,8,12 and 24 hours after operation,there was no significant difference in MAP and SpO₂ between the two groups (all P>0.05).HR of the study group was significantly lower than that of the control group at 8,12 and 24 hours after operation (all P<0.05).At 8,12 and 24 hours after operation,the VAS score of the study group was significantly lower than that of the control group,and the Ramsay score was significantly higher than that of the control group (all P<0.05).At 8,12 and 24 hours after operation,5-HT,SP,β-EP and NPY in the study group were significantly lower than those in the control group (all P<0.05).There was no significant difference in operation time,intraoperative blood loss,recovery time and recovery time of gastrointestinal function between the two groups (all P>0.05). Conclusion Dexmedetomidine intercostal nerve block could further relieve pain after radical resection of esophageal cancer.