Comparing the effectiveness of dexmedetomidine-assisted lumbar plexus block and epidural anesthesia for patients undergoing fixation for femoral shaft fracture

IntroductionTo evaluate the safety and benefits of different anesthesia techniques for older patients undergoing femoral shaft fracture fixation.MethodsWe analyzed data from 60 older patients with femoral shaft fractures undergoing external fixation. The patients were divided into two groups. Group A received dexmedetomidine-assisted lumbar plexus combined with sciatic nerve block anesthesia, whereas Group B received continuous epidural anesthesia. Systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and mean arterial pressure were recorded at three time points: T0 (10 min after anesthesia), T1 (30 min after anesthesia), and T2 (30 min after surgery). We also analyzed the duration of the anesthesia block and postoperative complications, including headache, nausea, vomiting, constipation, urinary retention, and lower extremity venous thrombosis.ResultsThe results showed that diastolic blood pressure in Group A was significantly lower at T1 and T2 than in Group B. The anesthesia onset time was significantly longer in Group B. The incidence of postoperative complications and serum interleukin-6 levels were significantly lower in Group A than in Group B. No significant differences were observed between the two groups in other indices, such as mean arterial pressure and diastolic blood pressure.ConclusionDexmedetomidine-assisted lumbar plexus combined with sciatic nerve block anesthesia was associated with fewer postoperative complications, a shorter anesthesia onset time, and lower serum levels of the inflammatory factor interleukin-6 than the continuous epidural anesthesia in older patients.