The data from a study published in Medical Science Monitor revealed that the use of perineural dexmedetomidine 1 μg/kg could be useful in decreasing the median effective concentration of ropivacaine for the adductor canal block.

Multimodal analgesic treatments (i.e. adductor canal block plus local infiltration analgesia along with a block of the interspace between popliteal artery and posterior aspect of the knee) are widely used for total knee replacement. But, considerable amount of local anesthetics used during these treatments can‘t be ignored.

This study by Chunguang Wang and collegues investigated if the amount of local anesthetics could be reduced with the help of dexmedetomidine for this interfascial plane block in patients undergoing total knee replacement.

Overall, 54 patients planned for primary total knee replacement were assigned to group R or ropivacaine group and group RD or dexmedetomidine group. Initially, ropivacaine 0.5% which later varied depending on reaction of the preceding participant. Thereafter, the the median effective concentration was evaluated.

At 30 minutes following the adductor canal block and during improvement from general anesthesia, the Group R and Group RA had similar quadriceps strength. Median effective quantity of ropivacaine for adductor canal block was 0.29% in group RD, which was lower as observed in the group R (0.38%). To conclude, the effective concentration of local anesthic can be decreased with the help of dexmedetomidine.