Dexmedetomidine, an alpha 2-adrenoreceptor agonist, has been found to exerts an excellent influences on the filed of perineural block. It could shorten the onset time and prolong the duration of the nerve block and improved postoperative pain. However, Dexmedetomidine-induced bradycardia or hypotension has recently attracted considerable attention because of potentially grave consequences, including sinus arrest and refractory cardiogenic shock. A low dose may help minimize cardiovascular risks associated with dexmedetomidine. However, few studies have addressed the clinical effects of low-dose dexmedetomidine as an perineural adjuvant. The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that low-dose dexmedetomidine added to ropivacaine would safely enhance the duration of analgesia without adverse effects when compared with ropivacaine alone. Investigators will conduct a single-center, prospective, randomized, triple-blind, controlled trial in patients undergoing elective forearm and hand surgery under ultrasound-guided supraclavicular brachial plexus block using either ropivacaine or ropivacaine plus low-dose dexmedetomidine. The primary outcome is self-reported duration of analgesia . Secondary outcomes include onset time and duration of motor and sensory block, total postoperative analgesics, and safety assessment (adverse effects and postoperative abnormal sensation).
Dexmedetomidine, an alpha 2-adrenoreceptor agonist, has been found to exerts an excellent influences on the filed of perineural block. It could shorten the onset time and prolong the duration of the nerve block and improved postoperative pain. However, Dexmedetomidine-induced bradycardia or hypotension has recently attracted considerable attention because of potentially grave consequences, including sinus arrest and refractory cardiogenic shock. Although meta-analysis showed that perineural dexmedetomidine as a local anaesthetic adjuvant for neuraxial and peripheral nerve blocks produced reversible bradycardia in only 7% of brachial plexus block patients and no effect on the incidence of hypotension, various clinical studies reported a significant decrease in heart rate. A low dose may help minimize cardiovascular risks associated with dexmedetomidine. However, few studies have addressed the clinical effects of low-dose dexmedetomidine as an perineural adjuvant. The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that low-dose dexmedetomidine, which till today has not been reported in the literature, added to ropivacaine for brachial plexus block would safely enhance the duration of analgesia without adverse effects when compared with ropivacaine alone. Investigators will conduct a single-center, prospective, randomized, triple-blind, controlled trial in patients undergoing elective forearm and hand surgery under ultrasound-guided supraclavicular brachial plexus block using either 20 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine or 0.5% ropivacaine plus 30 microg dexmedetomidine. The primary outcome is self-reported duration of analgesia . Secondary outcomes include onset time and duration of motor and sensory block, total postoperative analgesics, and safety assessment (adverse effects including cardiovascular inhibitions and postoperative abnormal sensation). Data will be collected and analyzed in a blinded fashion.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
60
Ultrasound-guided supraclavicular brachial plexus block with 0.5% ropivacaine
Ultrasound-guided supraclavicular brachial plexus block with 0.5% ropivacaine plus low-dose (30 microg) dexmedetomidine
Guangzhou First Municipal People's Hospital
Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
Duration of analgesia
Postoperative pain using visual analog scale (VAS, 0-100, 0 = no pain, 100 = maximum imaginable pain) will be assessed. Duration of analgesia is defined by time between administration of block and the postoperative pain \>3.
Time frame: up to 24 hours postoperatively
Blood pressure (BP)
Noninvasive arterial BP is measured at the non-operated arm. episode of hypotension (30% decrease in mean BP in relation to baseline values) and hypertension (30% increase in mean BP in relation to baseline values) will be recorded.
Time frame: up to 24 hours postoperatively
Heart rate (HR):
HR, bradycardia (HR \< 50 beats/min), and tachycardia (HR \> 100 beats/min) will be recorded at the same time as BP recording.
Time frame: up to 24 hours postoperatively
Peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2)
SpO2 and hypoxemia (SpO2 \<90%) will be recorded at the same time as BP recording.
Time frame: up to 24 hours postoperatively
Sensory block of median nerve
is defined by pinprick sensation using a 3-point scale (0-2, 0 = normal sensation, 1 = decreased pain sensation to pinprick, 2 = loss of pain sensation to pinprick) in the median nerve locations.
Time frame: up to 30 minutes after administration of block
Sensory block of ulnar nerve
Sensory block of ulnar nerve is defined by pinprick sensation using a 3-point scale (0-2, 0 = normal sensation, 1 = decreased pain sensation to pinprick, 2 = loss of pain sensation to pinprick) in the ulnar nerve locations.
Time frame: up to 30 minutes after administration of block
Sensory block of radial nerve
Sensory block of radial nerve is defined by pinprick sensation using a 3-point scale (0-2, 0 = normal sensation, 1 = decreased pain sensation to pinprick, 2 = loss of pain sensation to pinprick) in the radial nerve locations.
Time frame: up to 30 minutes after administration of block
Sensory block of musculocutaneous nerve
Sensory block of musculocutaneous nerve is defined by pinprick sensation using a 3-point scale (0-2, 0 = normal sensation, 1 = decreased pain sensation to pinprick, 2 = loss of pain sensation to pinprick) in the musculocutaneous nerve locations.
Time frame: up to 30 minutes after administration of block
Motor block of median nerve
Motor block of median nerve is defined by thumb and fifth finger pinch.
Time frame: up to 30 minutes after administration of block
Motor block of ulnar nerve
Motor block of ulnar nerve is defined thumb and second finger pinch.
Time frame: up to 30 minutes after administration of block
Motor block of radial nerve
Motor block of radial nerve is defined by finger abduction.
Time frame: up to 30 minutes after administration of block
Motor block of musculocutaneous nerve
Motor block of musculocutaneous nerve is defined by flexion of the elbow.
Time frame: up to 30 minutes after administration of block
Duration of motor block
Duration of motor block is defined as the time interval between the administration of the block and the recovery of complete motor function of the hand and forearm assessed.
Time frame: up to 24 hours postoperatively
Success rate of nerve block
A successful block is defined as surgery without patient discomfort and the need for supplementation of local infiltration or general anesthesia
Time frame: 30 minutes after administration of block
Postoperative analgesic requirement
IV tramadol 50mg will be administered when postoperative pain \>3, and be titrated up by 50 mg increments as needed for pain every 4 to 6 hours, with the maximum total dose of 250mg.
Time frame: up to 24 hours postoperatively
Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV)
The incidence of PONV will be recorded using a 4-point objective score (1 = no PONV;2 = mild nausea, no vomiting; 3 = excessive nausea or vomiting;4 = vomiting ≥2 times).
Time frame: up to 24 hours postoperatively
Abnormal sensation of brachial plexus
Patient's self-reported abnormal sensation of the hand and forearm.
Time frame: Day 1
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