Dexamethasone and Analgesic Duration After Supraclavicular Brachial Plexus Blockade

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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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.

Official Title
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Dexamethasone and Analgesic Duration After Supraclavicular Brachial Plexus Blockade

Conditions
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Anesthesia

Intervention / Treatment
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* Drug: Dexamethasone
* Drug: Mepivicaine


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

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 60 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Triple


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: 1<br>Dexamethasone 8mg added to routine local anesthetic during brachial plexus blockade. | Drug: Dexamethasone<br>* Dexamethasone 8 milligrams (liquid) will be added to standard anesthetic solution administered during routine brachial plexus nerve blockade.<br>Drug: Mepivicaine<br>* Standard anesthetic solution administered during routine brachial plexus nerve blockade.<br>|
| Active Comparator: 2<br>Routine anesthetic solution (30 cc 1.5% mepivicaine) used during brachial plexus blockade. | Drug: Mepivicaine<br>* Standard anesthetic solution administered during routine brachial plexus nerve blockade.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Duration of anesthesia |  | hourly for first 24 hours; daily until discharge | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Requirements for pain medications; complications |  | up to 3 months | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia, nerve block, brachial plexus, mepivicaine, dexamethasone, hand wrist surgery, duration, anesthetic duration following brachial plexus/nerve block for hand/wrist surgery