Clinical study on the effect of different local anesthetics on nerve block in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome

Objective To observe the nerve block effect and intraoperative bleeding of different local anesthetics used in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Methods Sixty patients with CTS were randomly divided into 4 groups with 15 patients in each, namely lidocaine+adrenaline group (group A), lidocaine+dexmedetomidine group (group B), ropivacaine+adrenaline group (group C), ropivacaine+dexmedetomidine group (group D). The onset time, maintenance time, analgesic and sedative effects, night sleep, adverse reactions and intraoperative bleeding were observed. Results The duration of block in group B and D was significantly longer than that in group A and C (P 0.05). The night sleep of group C was acceptable. The VAS score and Ramsay score of group D had no significant change within 48 hours after operation (P>0.05) and the night sleep was good. Conclusion Low dose dexmedetomidine-assisted nerve block can prolong the action time of local anesthetics and provide a good night sleep, but it has no obvious hemostatic efficacy. The combination of ropivacaine and epinephrine can achieve blockade duration, sigificantly decrease the intraoperative blood loss, which will improve patients' comfort and satisfaction. Key words: Carpal tunnel syndrome; Anesthetics; Nerve block effect