Posterior tibial nerve sensory blockade duration prolonged by adding dexmedetomidine to ropivacaine.

Background: Dexmedetomidine, an α(2)-receptor agonist, prolongs analgesia when used in neuraxial and IV blocks. We evaluated the effect of dexmedetomidine added to ropivacaine for tibial nerve block on the duration of the sensory blockade.

Methods: For this prospective, randomized, controlled, double-blind, crossover trial, 14 healthy volunteers were allocated to 2 groups.