ObjectiveTo observe the effects and security of dexmedetomidine in combined spinal epidural anesthesia (CSEA) for laparoscopic total extraperitoneal hernia repair (TEP). MethodsFrom January 2010 to January 2013, we selected 90 patients who were going to receive TEP surgery as our study subjects. The patients were divided into three groups:M1, M2 and M3 with 30 patients in each. The patients had left lateral position, and anesthesia was done between 3-4 lumbar epidural line. Injection of 0.5% bupivacaine 2 mL was carried out, and epidural catheter was 3-5 cm. Anesthesia plane was adjusted from the chest 4 or 6 vertebra to the sacral vertebra. The three groups of patients were treated with micro pump using dexmedetomidine given at a pre-charge of 0.5 μg/kg, and then group M1 was maintained by 0.3 μg/(kg·h), M2 by 0.5 μg/(kg·h), and M3 by 0.7 μg/(kg·h). The changes of mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate, respiration and pulse oximetry (SpO2) were observed at each time point, and bispectral index (BIS) monitor and Ramsay sedation score test were also conducted. ResultsThe changes of MAP, heart rate and respiration in group M1 were not obvious; the Ramsay score for group M1 was 2 to 3, and BIS value after pre-charge was 65-84. For group M2, MAP, heart rate and respiration had a slight decline; Ramsay score was 3-5 points, and BIS value was 60-79. In group M3, patients had a milder decline in their MAP and respiration; the heart rate declined obviously after receiving dexmedetomidine and one patient with severe decline of the heart rate alleviated after active treatment; Ramsay score was 5 to 6 points, and BIS value was between 55 and 75. There was little change in SpO2 in all the three groups, and the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). ConclusionContinuous injection of dexmedetomidine at 0.3-0.5 μg/(kg·h) in CSEA is an alternative way for anesthesia, which can effectively promote sedation and reduce pain and discomfort.