Objective:To compare the efficacy of dexmedetomidine combined with sufentanil versus oxycodone for percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic surgery. Methods:Eighty patients with lumbar disc herniation undergoing percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy, aged 18-65 yr, were selected and divided into 2 groups ( n=40 each) according to the random number table method: dexmedetomidine combined with sufentanil group and dexmedetomidine combined with oxycodone group. Dexmedetomidine was given as a loading dose of dexmedetomidine 0.8 μg/kg (10-15 min) before surgery, followed by an intravenous infusion of 0.4-0.6 μg/kg until 10 min before the end of surgery. At 5 min before surgery, sufentanil was intravenously injected as a bolus of 0.1 μg/kg, followed by an intravenous infusion of 0.1 μg/kg until 10 min before the end of surgery in dexmedetomidine combined with sufentanil group, and oxycodone was intravenously injected as a bolus of 0.05 μg/kg, followed by an intravenous infusion of 0.05 mg/kg until 10 min before the end of surgery in dexmedetomidine combined with oxycodone group. The Ramsay sedation score, mean arterial pressure and heart rate were recorded before administration, before skin incision, at 10 min after the start of surgery, at polishing facet joints and at the end of surgery. Bispectral index value was also recorded before skin incision, at 10 min after the start of surgery, at polishing facet joints and at the end of surgery. The emergence time was recorded, and the emergence quality was evaluated using Steward score. The visual analog scale score was recorded before surgery and at 1, 6 and 24 h after surgery. Peripheral venous blood samples were taken before administration and at 1 h after surgery for determination of concentrations of serum angiotensin Ⅱ and endothelin by radioimmunoassay. The perioperative adverse reactions were recorded. Results:Compared with dexmedetomidine combined with sufentanil group, the Ramsay sedation score before skin incision, at 10 min after the start of surgery, at polishing facet joints and at the end of surgery was significantly increased, and the mean arterial pressure, heart rate and bispectral index value were decreased, and the visual analog scale score at each time point after surgery and serum angiotensin Ⅱ and endothelin concentrations at 1 h after surgery were decreased, the incidence of adverse reactions was decreased( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in Steward score and emergence time in dexmedetomidine combined with oxycodone group( P>0.05). Conclusions:Compared with sufentanil, dexmedetomidine combined with oxycodone has a better analgesia efficacy with fewer adverse reactions in the patients undergoing percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic surgery.