Table 1 Characteristics of included randomized controlled trials
Study | Country | Surgery | Sample size(n) | Groups(n) | Dose of LAs | DEX dose | Block localization | Primary outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Elshal, 2021 [20] | Egypt | Thoracotomy | 42 | 1.Bupivacaine + NS (21) 2.Bupivacaine + DEX(21) | 0.25% 28 mL | 0.5 μg/kg | Ultrasound (T5 spinous level) | The time first to request rescue analgesia |
Gao X, 2019 [22] | China | Video-assisted thoracic surgery | 108 | 1.Ropivacaine + 0.1 mg/kg dexamethasone(36) 2.Ropivacaine + 0.5 µg/kg DEX + 0.1 mg/kg dexamethasone(36) 3.Ropivacaine + 1 µg/kg DEX + 0.1 mg/kg dexamethasone(36) | 0.375% 30 mL | 0.5 μg/kg, 1 μg/kg | Ultrasound (T4 spinous + T6 transverse level) | VAS both at rest and with coughing during the 12 h after surgery |
Gao Z, 2019 [19] | China | Video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy | 90 | 1.Ropivacaine + NS (30) 2.Ropivacaine + 10 mg dexamethasone(30) 3.Ropivacaine + 1 μg/kg DEX (30) | 0.5% 30 mL | 1 μg/kg | Ultrasound (T5 spinous level) | Postoperative PCA use during the first 72 h |
Rao, 2021 [21] | China | Video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy | 95 | 1.Ropivacaine + NS (34) 2.Ropivacaine + DEX(34) 3.Ropivacaine + Nalbuphine (34) | 0.5% 30 mL | 1 μg/kg | Ultrasound (T5 spinous level) | PCA use during the first 72 h postoperatively |
Wang Q, 2022 [26] | China | Open thoracotomy | 60 | 1.Ropivacaine + NS (30) 2.Ropivacaine + DEX(30) | 0.5% 30 mL | 0.5 μg/kg | Ultrasound (T5 spinous level) | Duration of analgesia |
Wang X, 2021 [24] | China | Modified radical mastectomy | 60 | 1.Ropivacaine + NS (30) 2.Ropivacaine + DEX(30) | 0.33% 30 mL | 1 μg/kg | Ultrasound (T3 vertebral level) | Dosage of flurbiprofen at 48 h after surgery |
Wang YH, 2022 [25] | China | Posterior lumbar spine surgery | 120 | 1.Ropivacaine + NS (60) 2.Ropivacaine + DEX(60) | 0.375% 20 mL | 1 μg/kg | Ultrasound (L3 vertebral level) | VAS pain scores at rest and movement state after surgery |
Yang, 2022 [23] | China | Thoracoscopic lobectomy | 90 | 1.Ropivacaine + NS (28) 2.Ropivacaine + dexamethasone(27) 3.Ropivacaine + DEX (29) | 0.5% 35 mL | 1 μg/kg | Ultrasound (T5 and T6 spinous level) | The time to first postoperative remedial analgesia |