Research progress of dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant for nerve block

Nerve block is a technique for anesthesia and pain management, which is realized by blocking nerve conduction in a specific nerve area with local anesthetic drugs. Compared with general anesthesia, nerve block has many advantages, which can provide local and selective analgesic effect, and meanwhile reduce complications and drug side effects related to general anesthesia. Dexmedetomidine is a type of α₂ adrenergic receptor agonist, and as a potential adjuvant, dexmedetomidine has been widely applied in nerve block. Dexmedetomidine has sedative, analgesic and anti-anxiety effects, and can be used in combination with local anesthetics to enhance the effect of nerve block. In this paper, the clinical effects of dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant of nerve block in various parts are reviewed, and application in maxillofacial nerve block and stellate ganglion block was added in order to provide reference for nerve block anesthesia and analgesia.