Abstract:Objective: To investigate the effects of dexmedetomidine patient-controlled intravenous analgesia on inflammatory reaction in esophageal cancer surgery. methods: 80 patients (aged 50~70, ASAⅠ~Ⅱ) scheduled for esophageal cancer surgery were randomly divided into 2 groups (in each group): morphine group (group M, n=40) and dexmedetomidine and morphine group (group DM, n=40). PCIA were used in both groups after surgery. Group M were pumping morphine with 0.3mg/kg/h, group DM were pumping dexmedetomidine 1μg/kg/d and morphine 0.3mg/kg/h,both of them were dilutioned to 150 ml with 0.9% normal saline.The expressions of IL-1 and TNF-α in venous blood were tested on the preoperative 1 day (T1), postoperation 6 hour(T2)、24 hour(T3) and 72 hour(T4). And the scores of visual analog scale (VAS) and the dosage of morphine were evaluated on T2~T4. Results: Compared with group M, the VAS score, the dosage of morphine and the expressions of IL-6 and TNF-α were decreased and IL-1 and TNF-α were increased on T2~T4 in group DM (P<0.05). Compared with T1, the expressions of IL-1 and TNF-α on T2~T4 were increased in two groups (P<0.05). Conclusion: The dexmedetomidine can relieve the pain after esophageal cancer surgery, and decrease the dosage of morphine and inflammatory reaction of body.