A study illustrated that dexmedetomidine-assisted sedation based upon lumbar anesthesia or lumbar anesthesia + epidural anesthesia  is safe and can attain improved sedative and pain-mitigating effects. Researchers aimed to determine safety and anesthetic effect of intravenous dexmedetomidine in cesarean section of parturients.

In this meta-analysis, databases like EMBASE, PubMed, and Cochrane Library were searched. Screening and extraction of literature associated with the application of dexmedetomidine in cesarean section were done. Either lumbar anesthesia (subarachnoid block) or combination of lumbar epidural anesthesia and bupivacaine or combination of fentanyl and bupivacaine was given to the control arm. Additionally, the observation group was given dexmedetomidine. Overall, 580 cesarean delivery females were incorporated in eight studies. 

Compared to the control group, the observation group exhibited a shorter peak time of sensory block (standard mean difference [SMD] = -0.28), longer duration of sensory block (SMD =1.49), higher sedation rate, and delayed onset of first postoperative pain. Furthermore, the occurrence of postoperative pain, fever, nausea, vomiting, and postoperative chills was reduced in the observation group vs. the control group.

For women scheduled to undergo cesarean section, dexmedetomidine in combination with lumbar anesthesia or lumbar anesthesia plus epidural anesthesia yields superior clinical benefits.