Objective: To explore the clinical application value of sufentanil combined with dexamethasone in the treatment of postoperative intravenous self-controlled analgesia in children. Methods: Totally 84 children with general anesthesia of American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Ⅰ to Ⅱ were randomly divided into the control group and the experimental group

with 42 cases in each group. The control group was treated with sufentanil

while the experimental group received sufentanil combined with dexamethasone. The vital signs such as respiratory rate (RR)

heart rate (HR)

mean arterial pressure (MAP) and blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) were observed after surgery of 2 h

6 h

12 h

24 h and 48 h. Visual analogue scale (VAS) and latest modified sedation score (Ramsay) were used to evaluate the sedative and analgesic effects of postoperative drugs

and adverse drug reactions were recorded. Results: There was no significant difference in RR

MAP

HR and SpO2 between two groups (P>0.05). Postoperative VAS score and Ramsay score in the experimental group were lower than those in the control group

and incidence of adverse drug reactions such as respiratory inhibition

skin itching

nausea and vomiting

dizziness and urinary retention were lower than those in the control group (P<0.01). Conclusion: Compared with sufentanil alone for postoperative analgesia

sufentanil combined with dexamethasone can significantly improve the analgesic and sedative effects

and has weaker respiratory depression and fewer adverse drug reactions.