Brachial plexus blocks (BPB) are commonly used to provide regional anaesthesia for patients undergoing distal radial fracture surgery. Distal radial (DR) fracture surgery is a commonly performed orthopaedic surgery and is usually associated with moderate postoperative pain. Poor postoperative pain control can impair rehabilitation, delay recovery and negatively impact outcomes after surgery. Liposomal bupivacaine (EXPAREL) is a multivesicular formulation of bupivacaine that allows rapid absorption and prolonged release of bupivacaine. Liposomal bupivacaine may provide prolonged analgesia for up to 72 hours after single injection and may therefore achieve greater analgesic efficacy compared to non-liposomal long-acting local anaesthetics. The addition of additive drugs such as dexmedetomidine to regional nerve blocks can also extend analgesia and improve postoperative pain. However, the effect of adding liposomal bupivacaine versus adding dexmedetomidine in regional nerve blocks is not known. In this project, the investigators propose to conduct a randomized controlled trial to investigate the effect of adding liposomal bupivacaine versus dexmedetomidine in the supraclavicular BPB for acute postoperative analgesia. The investigators will also assess longer term secondary outcomes including upper limb functional scores, chronic pain, and health related quality of life.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
96
Bupivacaine liposome is a multivesicular formulation of bupivacaine that allows rapid absorption and prolonged release of bupivacaine.
Dexmedetomidine is a full α₂ adrenergic receptor agonist roughly eight times more selective for the α₂ receptor than clonidine.
The University of Hong Kong
Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Weighted area under curve (AUC) pain score at rest
Pain severity would be rated at rest after surgery using numerical rating scale (NRS) with 0 to 10 where 0=no pain and 10=the worst possible pain
Time frame: 0-48 hours after surgery
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