Abstract:Objective To explore the application value of dexmedetomidine in brachial plexus nerve block for elderly patients with upper limb fractures.Methods A total of 80 elderly patients with upper limb fractures who underwent surgery in our hospital from May 2020 to October 2022 were randomly divided into two groups, with 40 patients in each group. The control group received brachial plexus block plus fentanyl, while the observation group received brachial plexus block plus fentanyl plus dexmedetomidine. The hemodynamic [Mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR)] and Ramsay sedation scores before nerve block (T1), immediately after nerve block (T2), 10 min after anesthesia (T3), 5 min after the start of surgery (T4), 30 min after the start of surgery (T5), and at the end of the surgery (T6), the levels of stress hormones [Norepinephrine (NE), Epinephrine (E), Cortisol (Cor)] at T1, T5, and T6, and the levels of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and nerve growth factor (NGF) before anesthesia, at 24 h, and at 72 h after the operation, as well as cognitive function before anesthesia and at 1 d, 3 d, and 7 d postoperatively were compared in the two groups.Results The comparison of MAP and HR between the observation group and the control group at T1-T6 showed the following results: (1) There were significant differences in MAP and HR at different time points (F =6.582 and 8.632, P =0.047 and 0.000); (2) There were significant differences in MAP and HR between the observation group and the control group (F =8.931 and 12.023, all P =0.000); (3) The differences in the change trend of MAP and HR scores between the two groups were statistically significant (F =7.269, 9.438, all P =0.000). The comparison of Ramsay sedation scores between the observation group and the control group at time points T1-T6 showed the following results: (1) There was a significant difference in Ramsay sedation scores at different time points (F =11.023, P =0.000); (2) There was a significant difference in Ramsay sedation scores between the observation group and the control group (F =8.632, P =0.000); (3) There was a significant difference in the change trend of Ramsay sedation scores between the two groups (F =9.225, P =0.000). The comparison of NE, E, and Cor levels at T1, T5, and T6 between the observation group and the control group revealed the following results: (1) The comparison of NE, E, and Cor levels at different times showed significant differences (F =7.125, 37.523 and 22.057, all P =0.000); (2) The comparison of NE, E, and Cor levels between the observation group and the control group showed significant differences (F =26.354, 23.727 and 18.636, all P =0.000); (3) The comparison of the change trends of NE, E, and Cor levels between the two groups showed significant differences (F =18.635, 28.079 and 20.547, all P =0.000). The comparison of serum PGE2 and NGF levels between the observation group and the control group before anesthesia, 24 hours and 72 hours after surgery showed the following results: (1)There was a significant difference in the levels of serum PGE2 and NGF at different times (F =21.252 and 39.524, all P =0.000);(2) There was a significant difference in the levels of serum PGE2 and NGF between the observation group and the control group (F =29.635 and 25.419, all P =0.000); (3)The comparison of the change trends of serum PGE2 and NGF between the two groups showed significant differences (F =25.736 and 28.447, all P =0.000). The comparison of cognitive function scores between the observation group and the control group before anesthesia, and on postoperative day 1, 3, and 7 revealed the following results: (1) There was a significant difference in cognitive function scores at different times (F =8.225, P =0.000); (2) There was a significant difference in cognitive function scores between the observation group and the control group (F =6.872, P =0.000); (3) There was a significant difference in the change trend of serum cognitive function scores between the two groups (F =8.029, P =0.000).Conclusion Dexmedetomidine has good sedative effect in brachial plexus nerve block for elderly patients with upper limb fractures, which can effectively reduce the stress response of patients during surgery, maintain hemodynamic stability, alleviate postoperative pain, and promote postoperative cognitive function recovery.