Table 5.

VAS scores in the different groups. Values are expressed as n (%)

VAS, visual analogue scale

Group MD: midazolam 0.03 mg/kg for anaesthesia induction. Group NS: normal saline at the rate of 60 ml/h for 15 min before anaesthesia induction + 0.125 ml/kg/h continuous infusion until the end of operation. Group D0.25: dexmedetomidine 0.25 μg/kg for 15 min before anaesthesia induction + 0.5 μg/kg/h continuous infusion until the end of operation. Group D0.5: dexmedetomidine 0.5 μg/kg for 15 min before anaesthesia induction + 0.5 μg/kg/h continuous infusion until the end of operation. Group D0.75: dexmedetomidine 0.75 μg/kg for 15 min before anaesthesia induction + 0.5 μg/kg/h continuous infusion until the end of operation

^*P < 0.05 vs group NS

^#P < 0.05 vs group MD

^$P < 0.05 vs group D0.25