Dexamethasone and Analgesic Duration After Supraclavicular Brachial Plexus Blockade

N/ACompletedNCT00802009

University Health Network, Toronto44 enrolled

Overview

Patients undergoing surgery of the hand often are treated with a nerve block in the shoulder/neck area that provides anesthesia/numbing during surgery. Nerve blocks usually last for a few hours after surgery and provide pain relief for this period. It may be possible to extend the duration of anesthesia by using a steroid, which has anti-inflammtory properties. This study will compare the duration of the nerve block when dexamethasone (steroid) is added to the anesthetic injected around the nerve.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

TRIPLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Anesthesia

Interventions

DexamethasoneDRUG

Dexamethasone 8 milligrams (liquid) will be added to standard anesthetic solution administered during routine brachial plexus nerve blockade.

MepivicaineDRUG

Standard anesthetic solution administered during routine brachial plexus nerve blockade.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 60 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Patients having unilateral hand or forearm surgery under Supraclavicular brachial plexus blockade. 2. ASA I-III 3. Age 18-60 4. BMI \< 35 Exclusion Criteria: 1. Patients with a known history of hypersensitivity to local anesthetics and dexamethasone. 2. Contra-indication to regional anesthesia/ supraclavicular brachial plexus blockade e.g. bleeding diathesis, coagulopathy. 3. Peripheral neuropathy. 4. Peptic ulcer disease. 5. Diabetes Mellitus. 6. Inability to give informed consent.

Locations (1)

Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Duration of anesthesia

Time frame: hourly for first 24 hours; daily until discharge

Secondary Outcomes

Requirements for pain medications; complications

Time frame: up to 3 months

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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