Thoracic Paravertebral Nerve Block Research Articles

Thoracic paravertebral nerve block combined with acupuncture for the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia in the chest and abdomen: A prospective randomized controlled trial.

Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is the most common complication of varicella-zoster infection and tends to occur in older people. All patients treated with a single regimen have not achieved consistent success across all current study protocols, and multimodal combination regimens still need to be explored. A total of 111 patients with PHN were randomly divided into drug group (group A), thoracic paravertebral nerve block group (group B), thoracic paravertebral nerve block combined with acupuncture group (group C), with 37 cases in each group. Group A: received oral gabapentin capsules and external lidocaine gel plaster; group B: combined with thoracic paravertebral nerve block based on group A; group C: combined with acupuncture based on group B. The primary outcome was effective rate, and secondary outcomes included pain sensation score (numerical rating scale), SF-36 quality of life score, and sleep quality. Before treatment, there were no significant differences in numerical rating scale value, SF-36 quality of life score, and sleep quality level among the 3 groups (P > .05). After 12 weeks of treatment, the total effective rate of treatment of patients in group C (91.43%) was higher than that in group B (77.14%), and significantly higher than that in group A (51.43%) (P < .05). Based on drug treatment combined with thoracic paravertebral nerve block and acupuncture, the treatment of PHN in the elderly can quickly and effectively relieve pain, improve the quality of life of patients, and improve the quality of sleep.

Assessing the Impact of General Anesthesia and Bronchial Intubation in Conjunction with Thoracic Paravertebral Nerve Block on Cellular Immunity and Surgical Management in Tuberculous Pyothorax Patients

Objective: This study aims to investigate the impact of combining general anesthesia with bronchial intubation and thoracic paravertebral nerve block during surgery for patients with tuberculous pyothorax. Methods: Eighty patients diagnosed with tuberculous pyothorax, admitted to the hospital between January 2023 and September 2023, were randomly selected for this study. The patients were divided into control and study groups using a numerical table method. The control group underwent general anesthesia with bronchial intubation, while the study group received general anesthesia with bronchial intubation in conjunction with thoracic paravertebral nerve block. Subsequently, the patients were monitored to assess mean arterial pressure, heart rate variations, and adverse reactions to anesthesia. Results: The study group exhibited significantly lower mean arterial pressure and heart rate levels during the post-surgical incision, immediate end of surgery, and immediate extubation periods compared to the control group (P &lt; 0.05). Furthermore, the Ricker and Ramsay scores in the study group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P &lt; 0.05). Conclusion: The combined use of general anesthesia via bronchial intubation and thoracic paravertebral nerve block has been found to stabilize mean arterial pressure and heart rate while providing effective sedation for surgical treatment in patients with tuberculous septic thorax.

Efficacy of postoperative analgesia with intravenous paracetamol and mannitol injection, combined with thoracic paravertebral nerve block in post video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery pain: a prospective, randomized, double-blind controlled trial

BackgroundAlthough video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) has advantages of reduced injury and faster healing, patients still endure moderate and severe postoperative pain. Paracetamol and mannitol injection, the first acetaminophen injection in China, has the advantages of convenient administration, rapid onset of action, and no first-pass effect. This aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of postoperative analgesia with paracetamol and mannitol injection, combined with thoracic paravertebral nerve block (TPVB) in post VATS pain.MethodsThis study was a single-center, prospective, randomized, double-blind controlled clinical trial. Patients scheduled for VATS were randomly divided into three groups, general anesthesia group (Group C), TPVB group (Group T) and TPVB + paracetamol and mannitol injection group (Group TP). In this study, the primary outcome was determined as visual analog scale (VAS) scores at rest and coughing, the secondary observation outcomes were the first time to use analgesic pump, the total consumption of oxycodone in the analgesic pump, number of effective and total analgesic pump compressions at first 48 h postoperatively, the perioperative consumption of sufentanil, time to extubation, hospital length of stay, urine volume, and the incidence of adverse events.ResultsIn a state of rest and cough, patients in the Group TP showed significantly lower VAS pain scores at 1, 12, 24, and 48 postoperative-hour compared with Group C and Group T. Intraoperative sufentanil and postoperative oxycodone consumption, the first time to press analgesic pump, the times of effective and total compressions of patient- controlled analgesia (PCA) were lower than those of the Group C and Group T. Interestingly, urine output was higher in Group TP. There were no differences between the three groups in terms of extubation time, length of hospital stay and adverse effects, indicating that intravenous paracetamol and mannitol injection is an effective and safe perioperative analgesia method.ConclusionsParacetamol and mannitol injection, combined with TPVB may provide important beneficial effects on acute pain control and reduce the consumption of opioid in patients undergoing VATS.Trial registrationThe trial was registered on Jun 19, 2023 in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=199315), registration number ChiCTR2300072623 (19/06/2023).

Meta-analysis of the effects of ultrasound-guided rhomboid-intercostal-low anterior serratus plane block and thoracic paravertebral nerve block for postoperative analgesia in adults undergoing thoracoscopic surgery

Meta-analysis of the effects of ultrasound-guided rhomboid-intercostal-low anterior serratus plane block and thoracic paravertebral nerve block for postoperative analgesia in adults undergoing thoracoscopic surgery

Effects of different anesthesia methods on perioperative immune function and long-term regression of patients undergoing thoracoscopic radical esophagectomy for esophageal cancer

ObjectiveThis study investigated the effects of different anesthetic methods on perioperative immune function and long-term regression of patients undergoing thoracoscopic radical surgery for esophageal cancer. MethodsData from 147 patients undergoing thoracoscopic radical surgery for esophageal cancer in our hospital from January 2017 to June 2019 were selected for retrospective analysis. Patients were divided into control (intravenous anesthesia combined with an epidural block, n = 83) and observation (intravenous anesthesia combined with a thoracic paravertebral nerve block, n = 64) groups. The use of relevant drugs during the surgery, indexes of the peripheral blood T-lymphocyte subpopulation at different time points (before induction of anesthesia, at the completion of surgery, 24 h postoperatively, and 48 h postoperatively), and 3-year postoperative survival were compared between the two groups. ResultsData on propofol and remifentanil use during surgery were not significantly different (P > 0.05) between the two groups. The proportion of vasoactive drug use was lower in the observation group than in the control group (P < 0.05). Differences in data for CD3+, CD4+, and CD4+/CD8+ cells between time points were significant (F = 13.256, 20.307, 18.035, P < 0.05), while those between the two groups were not (F = 1.005, 1.135, 1.204, P > 0.05). There was no interaction between data processing factors and time between the control and observation groups in CD3+, CD4+, and CD4+/CD8+ cells (F = 0.358, 0.778, 1.107, P > 0.05). The median overall survival time was 21.988 (95 % confidence interval: 18.436–25.541) and 26.978 (95 % confidence interval: 20.124–33.833) months in the control and observation groups, respectively, with a significant difference between the two groups (Log-rank χ2 = 3.925, P < 0.05). ConclusionsBoth anesthetic methods achieve satisfactory anesthetic results and reduce postoperative stress and immunosuppression. However intravenous anesthesia combined with an epidural block can increase the incidence of intraoperative hypotension in the patients, thoracic paravertebral nerve block combined with general anesthesia is more favorable for maintaining intraoperative blood pressure and heart rate stability, as well as for postoperative survival.

Effect of oxycodone combined with ultrasound-guided thoracic paravertebral nerve block on postoperative analgesia in patients with lung cancer undergoing thoracoscopic surgery: protocol for a randomised controlled study

IntroductionPostoperative pain is a main component influencing the recovery of patients with lung cancer. The combination of patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) and paravertebral nerve block for postoperative analgesia in patients...

Interventional Treatment Options for Post-mastectomy Pain.

Breast cancer is currently the most prevalent cancer diagnosed globally, and there is a significant gap in the availability of effective first-line treatment options. In addition to a cancer diagnosis, breast cancer patients face additional pain and morbidity after treatment. Radiation fibrosis, muscle spasms, muscle pain, neuropathy, and limited shoulder function are all potential side effects of breast cancer treatment and breast reconstruction. Post-mastectomy pain syndrome affects 25-60% of people after breast surgery. The current review moves forward to explain interventional pain management options that can be used to supplement conservative measures (physical therapy, medication, topical ointments) to help these patients. There are many new interventional procedures to treat chest wall pain, neuropathic pain, and spasticity after breast surgery. Currently, the most commonly performed procedures are botulinum toxin injections, serratus anterior plane blocks, intercostobrachial nerve blocks, thoracic paravertebral nerve blocks, pectoralis nerve blocks, and erector spinae nerve blocks. Utilizing one of these interventional procedures, along with physical therapy and pharmacologic interventions, can help manage post-mastectomy pain syndrome in the millions of breast cancer patients diagnosed and treated every year.

Effects of Thoracic Paravertebral Nerve Block Combined with PCIA on Hemodynamics and Stress in Patients Undergoing Radical Resection of Lung Cancer

Effects of Thoracic Paravertebral Nerve Block Combined with PCIA on Hemodynamics and Stress in Patients Undergoing Radical Resection of Lung Cancer

Retracted: Effects of Different Doses of Dexmedetomidine Combined with Thoracic Paravertebral Nerve Block Anesthesia on Agitation and Hemodynamics in Patients Undergoing Thoracotomy during Recovery.

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.1155/2022/7804584.].

Comparing postoperative analgesia of bilateral serratus anterior plane block and thoracic paravertebral block for children following the Nuss procedure: protocol for a randomised, double-blind, non-inferiority clinical trial

IntroductionThe Nuss procedure, despite being a minimally invasive surgery, is regarded as one of the most painful surgical procedures in children, and postoperative pain control remains a major clinical issue...

Clinical effect of acupuncture along fascia, meridians, and nerves combined with ultrasound-guided paravertebral nerve block in the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia: a randomized parallel-controlled study.

To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture along fascia, meridians, and nerves combined with ultrasound-guided nerve blockage in the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia. A total of 61 outpatients with post-chest and back herpes zoster neuralgia were recruited in the Department of Pain at the Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences from May 2019 to June 2021. They were randomly divided into two groups. Thirty-one patients in the control group were treated with ultrasound-guided thoracic paravertebral nerve block (PVB) alone, one patient declined to continue during treatment ( 30), and thirty patients in the observation group received the acupuncture along the fascia, meridians, and nerves combined with ultrasound-guided PVB treatment ( 30). Both control and observation group received treatment weekly for 4 weeks. The medical history data such as age, sex, presence or absence of comorbidities and disease course were analyzed. The visual analog scale (VAS) score was used to assess the pain degree of two groups at T0 (before treatment), T1 (1-time treatment ended), T2 (2 times treatment ended), T3 (3 times treatment ended), and T4 (4 times treatment ended). The sleep state was examined by Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) before and after the study. There was no significant difference in general conditions between the control group and the observation group (> 0.05). The VAS score in both control and observation group was decreased in a time-dependent manner after 1-4 weeks of treatment. There were no significant differences in VAS scores between the two groups after 1 or 2 weeks of treatment ( > 0.05). After 3 and 4 weeks of treatment, the VAS score was significantly decreased in the observation group compared with that in the control group ( < 0.001). In addition, the reduction in VAS score (after treatment-before treatment) between the two groups was statistically significant [D value: -1.53, 95% (-2.32, 0.74), < 0.001]. Furthermore, the sleep state of patients in both groups markedly improved and much obvious in the observation group than that in the control group ( < 0.05). These results suggest that a combination of acupuncture along fascia, meridians, and nerves with ultrasound-guided PVB treatment is more effective than ultrasound-guided PVB treatment alone. Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2200057955.

Ropivacaine pharmacokinetics in the arterial and venous pools after ultrasound-guided continuous thoracic paravertebral nerve block

Ropivacaine pharmacokinetics in the arterial and venous pools after ultrasound-guided continuous thoracic paravertebral nerve block

Combined Ultrasound-Guided Thoracic Paravertebral Nerve Block with Subcostal Transversus Abdominis Plane Block for Analgesia After Total Minimally Invasive Mckeown Esophagectomy: A Randomized, Controlled, and Prospective Study.

Thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB) and subcostal transverse abdominis plane block (TAP) have been considered to provide an effective analgesic effect for laparoscopic and thoracoscopic surgery, respectively. The purpose of this randomized, controlled, and prospective study was to evaluate the analgesic effect of TPVB combined with TAP in patients undergoing total minimally invasive Mckeown esophagectomy. Between February 2020 and December 2021, a total of 168 esophageal cancer patients undergoing McKeown esophagectomy at the Cancer Center of Sun Yat-Sen University, China, were randomly assigned to receive patient-controlled epidural analgesia alone (group PCEA, n=56), patient-controlled intravenous analgesia alone (group PCIA, n=56), and TPVB combined with TAP and patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (group PVB, n=56). The primary outcome was a visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score on movement 48h postoperatively. Secondary endpoints were pain scores at other points, intervention-related side effects, surgical complications, and length of intensive care unit and hospital stay. For the VAS pain score, the Kruskal-Wallis method was conducted for comparison of 3 treatment groups and further pairwise comparison with Bonferroni correction. On movement, the VAS in the PVB group was higher than that in the PCEA group at 48h, 72h, 96h, and 120h postoperatively (p<0.05) except in the postoperative anesthesia care unit (PACU) and 24h postoperatively. The VAS in the PCIA group was higher than the PCEA and PVB groups in the first 4days after surgery. The pulmonary complication rate in the PCIA group was significantly higher than the rate in the PCEA [95% Confidence Interval 0.214 (0.354, 0.067), p=0.024]. Combined TPVB and TAP was more effective than intravenous opioid analgesia alone, while PCEA was more effective than TPVB combined with TAP and intravenous opioid analgesia for patients after McKeown esophagectomy. Chinese Clinical Trial Registry; ChiCTR2000029588.

Ultrasound-guided thoracic paravertebral nerve block in patients undergoing radical mastectomy

Ultrasound-guided thoracic paravertebral nerve block in patients undergoing radical mastectomy

Effects of thoracic paravertebral block combined with s-ketamine on postoperative pain and cognitive function after thoracoscopic surgery

ObjectivesTo assess the effects of thoracic paravertebral block and s-ketamine on postoperative pain and perioperative neurocognitive disorder (PND) in video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. MethodsPatients (n = 120) aged 45–65 undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery were allocated randomly into the following three groups: patients in the C group received general anaesthesia; patients in the thoracic paravertebral block group, i.e. the TP group, received general anaesthesia and ultrasound-guided paravertebral block; and patients in the s-ketamine combined with ultrasound-guided thoracic paravertebral nerve block group, i.e. the TS group, received combined anaesthesia, which was administered as follows: general anaesthesia + ultrasound-guided paravertebral block + perioperative s-ketamine (a bolus of 0.3 mg/kg, followed by an infusion of 0.2 mg/kg/h until 30 min before the end of the surgical procedure). ResultsCognitive function was measured using the Mini-Mental State Examination 1 day preoperatively, 1 day postoperatively, and 3 months postoperatively. Z-score was used to determine the incidence of PND. Postoperative pain was assessed using the visual analogue scale at 0.5 and 24 h postoperatively. The use of opioid drugs, intraoperative vital signs, and other secondary outcomes were also recorded. The final analysis included a total of 110 patients. The intraoperative heart rate and mean arterial pressure in the TS and TP groups were lower than that for group C (P＜0.05). After surgery, patients in the TS group exhibited significantly lower pain scores at 0.5 h and 24 h (P＜0.001 and P = 0.004,respectively) as well as significantly lower rates of postoperative nausea, vomiting, and pulmonary complications (P＜0.05). The incidence of PND in the TP and TS groups was lower than those who received general anaesthesia. However, there was no significant difference in the incidence of PND between the TP and TS groups (P＞0.05). ConclusionsUltrasound-guided paravertebral nerve block combined with s-ketamine decreased acute postoperative pain and improved the quality of recovery. However, perioperative s-ketamine did not improve cognitive function in patients under general anaesthesia with thoracic paravertebral block.

The median effective volume of ultrasound-guided thoracic paravertebral nerve block with 0.3% ropivacaine in radical thoracoscopic surgery for lung cancer.

Ultrasound-guided needle placement has revolutionized the thoracic paravertebral block technique and can be applied in thoracoscopic surgery. This study investigated the median effective volume (EV50) of an ultrasound-guided single shot of 0.3% ropivacaine used as a thoracic paravertebral nerve block for the radical thoracoscopic resection of lung cancer. A total of 27 patients who received a single shot of ultrasound-guided thoracic paravertebral nerve block and underwent radical thoracoscopic resection of lung cancer were enrolled in this study between February 10 and August 13, 2018. All patients were rated as ASA grades I or II. Using ultrasound as a guide, the block needle was gradually pushed through the lateral costotransverse ligaments to the thoracic paravertebral space by the in-plane technique. After confirming the absence of blood or cerebrospinal fluid, 1-2ml of 0.3% ropivacaine hydrochloride was injected to confirm that the position of the needle was appropriate, and a pre-determined volume of 0.3% ropivacaine hydrochloride was then administered to the patients. Sensory testing by pinprick was performed every 5minutes for 30minutes following the thoracic paravertebral block injection to identify the time segments during which the loss of sensation to the pinprick and its blocking effect occurred. All patients completed the study and 14 (51.8%) had a successful block. The EV50 of 0.3% ropivacaine was 18.46ml (95% CI 17.09-19.95ml) and the EV95 was 20.89ml.

Postoperative analgesic effect of dexmedetomidine combined with TPVB applied to open gastrectomy for gastric cancer

Objectives This study is aimed to investigate the analgesic effect of combined dexmedetomidine and thoracic paravertebral nerve block (TPVB) on gastric cancer (GC) patients undergoing open gastrectomy. Methods From May 2019 to Nov 2020, a total of 80 GC patients preparing for open gastrectomy were enrolled in our hospital and were divided into the ropivacaine (RO) group and the ropivacaine + dexmedetomidine (RD) group ad libitum. All of the patients underwent TPVB. The characteristics, usage of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA), adverse events, visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, inflammatory cytokines, and T cell subgroups between the two groups were compared. Results Patients in the RD group showed the decreased occurrence rate of postoperative adverse events and VAS scores and improved anti-inflammation and immune function. These findings implied that the application of dexmedetomidine in combination with RO in TPVB has a good postoperative analgesic effect, as well as anti-inflammatory and immune-enhancing effects. Conclusions Dexmedetomidine as an adjunct analgesic may be potentially applied in clinical practice for GC patients undergoing open gastrectomy.

Effects of serratus anterior plane block and thoracic paravertebral nerve block on analgesia, immune function and serum tumor markers in patients after thoracoscopic radical resection of lung cancer.

ABSTRACTWe aimed to assess the effects of serratus anterior plane block (SAPB) and thoracic paravertebral nerve block (TPVB) on analgesia, immune function and serum tumor markers in patients after thoracoscopic radical resection of lung cancer. A total of 132 patients enrolled from February 2019 to November 2020 were prospectively selected and randomly divided into 3 groups (n=44). Control group received general anesthesia. After induction of general anesthesia, TPVB or SAPB group was given TPVB or SAPB. Their clinical data, operation conditions, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score, immune function, serum tumor markers and adverse reactions were compared. TPVB and SAPB groups had lower dosage of sufentanil during operation, later time of first pressing patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCA) pump after operation and smaller number of pressing PCA pump within 48 h after operation than those of control group (P<0.05). VAS scores at rest and coughing decreased 6 and 12 h after operation in TPVB and SAPB groups compared with that in control group (P<0.05). Cluster of differentiation 3 (CD3)+, CD4+ and CD4+/CD8+ ratio were higher, while CD8+ was lower 24 and 48 h after operation in TPVB and SAPB groups than those of control group (P<0.05). TPVB and SAPB groups had lower serum tumor marker levels 24 h after operation than those of control group (P<0.05). The three groups had similar incidence rates of adverse reactions (P>0.05). SAPB and TPVB can markedly improve postoperative analgesic effect, enhance immune function and decrease serum tumor marker levels in patients receiving thoracoscopic radical resection of lung cancer, without increasing adverse reactions. However, TPVB may puncture the pleura.

Ultrasound-guided transversus thoracic muscle plane-pectoral nerve block for postoperative analgesia after modified radical mastectomy: a comparison with the thoracic paravertebral nerve block

BackgroundModified radical mastectomy (MRM) is the most effective and common type of invasive surgery for breast cancer. However, it causes moderate to severe acute pain and even lasts for a long postoperative period. Transversus thoracic muscle plane-pectoral nerve block (TTP-PECS) is a novel and promising interfacial plane block which can provide analgesia for MRM while thoracic paravertebral nerve block (TPVB) is also widely used for this purpose. This study compared the postoperative analgesia between the ultrasound-guided TTP-PECS and TPVB in patients undergoing MRM.MethodsIn this randomized controlled trial, eighty female breast cancer patients undergoing unilateral MRM with sentinel lymph node dissection (SLND) and axillary dissection (ALND) were enrolled. Patients were randomized to receive either ultrasound-guided TTP-PECS (TTP-PECS group, n = 40) or TPVB (TPVB group, n = 40) with 0.5% ropivacaine 30 ml. Evaluated variables included 24 h postoperative total PCA fentanyl consumption, including PCA background consumption and PCA press consumption (per bolus dosage multiply by the effective pressing times), and intraoperative fentanyl consumption, as well as postoperative flurbiprofen axetil requirement, duration of analgesia, blocking area, pain intensity at rest and during activity, ability to reduce the inflammatory response, and the quality of recovery 40 (QoR-40) score of patients.ResultsCompared with the TPVB, the main blocking area was T2–T6 in the TTP-PECS group, which was more suitable for the MRM. TTP-PECS has a longer analgesia duration than TPVB; 24 h postoperative total PCA fentanyl consumption, especially the PCA press consumption, and the postoperative flurbiprofen axetil requirement were decreased in the TTP-PECS group than those in the TPVB group. Furthermore, the VAS scores at rest and during activity and inflammatory response were lower in the TTP-PECS group compared with the TPVB group at 12 h postoperatively. Finally, the total QoR-40 score, especially for the scores of pain; emotional state; and patient support were better in the TTP-PECS group.ConclusionCompared with the TPVB, TTP-PECS can provide better postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing MRM, simultaneously reduce the inflammatory response, and prompt early recovery. These results suggest that TTP-PECS is an attractive alternative to TPVB for postoperative analgesia of modified radical mastectomy.

Effects of Different Doses of Dexmedetomidine Combined with Thoracic Paravertebral Nerve Block Anesthesia on Agitation and Hemodynamics in Patients Undergoing Thoracotomy during Recovery.

Objective To investigate the effect of different doses of dexmedetomidine combined with thoracic paravertebral nerve block anesthesia on agitation and hemodynamics in patients undergoing thoracotomy during recovery. Methods One hundred patients who underwent thoracotomy in our hospital from August 2018 to April 2021 were enrolled and assigned (1 : 1 : 1 : 1) into 4 groups via the random number table method. The patients in the control group were treated with double-lumen tube general anesthesia + ropivacaine for thoracic paravertebral nerve block anesthesia; patients in experimental group A received double-lumen general anesthesia +0.5 μg·kg−1 dexmedetomidine + ropivacaine for thoracic paravertebral nerve block anesthesia; patients in experimental group B received thoracic paravertebral nerve block anesthesia with double-lumen general anesthesia +1.0 μg·kg−1 dexmedetomidine + ropivacaine; patients in experimental group C received thoracic paravertebral nerve block anesthesia with double-lumen general anesthesia +1.5 μg·kg−1 dexmedetomidine + ropivacaine. The postoperative recovery time and visual analog scale (VAS), level of hemodynamics (heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP)), agitation during the recovery period, and complications were compared amongst the 4 groups of patients at different time points. Results The postoperative VAS scores of patients in groups B2 and B3 were slightly lower than those of patients in groups A and B1, but a one-way analysis of variance revealed no statistical difference in the postoperative recovery time and VAS pain scores of the four groups (P > 0.05), and the recovery time of patients in experimental group C was slightly higher than that of patients in group B2. At T0 and T1, there was no significant difference in the levels of HR and MAP among the four groups (P > 0.05). The levels of HR and MAP of the patients in groups B2 and B3 were significantly different from the patients in the control group and experimental group A at T2 and T3 (P < 0.05). The patients in experimental group B and experimental group C showed better outcomes than those in the control group and experimental group A in the assessment of agitation during the recovery period (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of complications among the four groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion In line with the principle of preference for a small anesthesia dose, 1.0 μg·kg−1 dose of dexmedetomidine combined with ropivacaine produces a pronounced efficacy in patients undergoing thoracotomy. It effectively controls the occurrence of agitation during the recovery period and maintains the stability of the patient's hemodynamics, with a high clinical safety profile.