Perineural Dexmedetomidine Added to Ropivacaine Causes a Dose-dependent Increase in the Duration of Thermal Antinociception in Sciatic Nerve Block in Rat

Abstract

This is the first study showing that dexmedetomidine added to ropivacaine increases the duration of sensory blockade in a dose-dependent fashion in rats. The findings are an essential first step encouraging future efficacy studies in humans.