Dexmedetomidine-esketamine Combination and Moderate-to-severe Pain After Spinal Surgery

Spinal surgery is generally followed by severe postoperative pain, and poor pain control may cause adverse outcomes such as cardiovascular events, neurocognitive disorders, and chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP). In previous studies, perioperative use of dexmedetomidine or esketamine is each associated with improved analgesia after surgery. Recent studies suggest that combined use of dexmedetomidine and esketamine may produce synergetic effects in improving analgesia. This trial is designed to test the hypothesis that perioperative combined use of dexmedetomidine and esketamine may improve analgesia and reduce moderate-to-severe pain in patients after spinal surgery.