Abstract: Objective To observe the effect of ropivacaine in infiltration anesthesia before the end of surgical procedures for postoperative analgesia on patients with spinal cord injury. Methods 60 patients with spinal cord injury undergoing internal fixation of spine fractures under combined general anesthesia were assigned in 3 groups, who received 0.25% ropivacaine in infiltration anesthesia (group RL, n=20),0.5% ropivacaine in infiltration anesthesia (group RM, n=20), or no infiltration anesthesia (group C, n=20) before the end of surgical procedures.The time for post-anesthesia recovery (PART), agitation score (AS), and Visual Analogue Score (VAS) for pain 2 h, 6 h, 24 h, and 48 h post operation were recorded, and related side effects were observed. Results AS within 6 h postoperation was significantly less in group RL and RM than in group C (P<0.05), as well as VAS, PART, mean of arterial pressure and heart rate 2 h, 6 h, and 24 h post operative (P<0.05).There was no significant difference in side effects including postoperative nausea and vomiting, and pruritus among these groups (P>0.05). Conclusion Ropivacaine in infiltration anesthesia would provide better postoperative analgesia, decrease the incidence of postoperative agitation, and increase the safety of patients with spinal cord injury in the postoperative period.

Key words: ropivacaine, spinal cord injury, postoperative analgesia