Why the study?
The objective was to compare the effectiveness of dexamethasone versus dexmedetomidine as adjuvants to bupivacaine in patients undergoing ultrasound-guided infraclavicular brachial plexus block.
Does dexmedetomidine compared to dexamethasone improve the onset and duration of sensory and motor blocks when used as an adjuvant to bupivacaine in patients undergoing upper limb surgeries?
Population
Sixty ASA class I and II patients posted for upper limb surgeries
Comparison
Bupivacaine plus dexamethasone vs bupivacaine plus dexmedetomidine
Design
Randomized prospective double-blind study
Key result
Dexamethasone (6 mg) added to bupivacaine significantly prolonged the duration of sensory block (1091.79 vs 734 minutes) and motor block compared to dexmedetomidine (75 mcg) in patients undergoing upper limb surgeries.
Authors
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Dexamethasone is a superior adjuvant to bupivacaine for infraclavicular brachial plexus blocks compared to dexmedetomidine, providing longer block duration and analgesia with less sedation.
RCT (n=60)
Double-blind
Computer-generated randomization numbers and sealed envelope method
No
Does dexmedetomidine compared to dexamethasone improve the onset and duration of sensory and motor blocks when used as an adjuvant to bupivacaine in patients undergoing upper limb surgeries?
Absolute Event Rate: 1091.79% vs 734%
p-value: p=<0.0001
Dexamethasone is a superior adjuvant to bupivacaine for infraclavicular brachial plexus blocks compared to dexmedetomidine, providing longer block duration and analgesia with less sedation.
Iyengar et al. (2023) conducted an RCT in Elective upper limb surgery (n=60). Dexamethasone vs. Dexmedetomidine (75 mcg) was evaluated on Duration of sensory block (minutes) (p=<0.0001). Dexamethasone (6 mg) added to bupivacaine significantly prolonged the duration of sensory block (1091.79 vs 734 minutes) and motor block compared to dexmedetomidine (75 mcg) in patients undergoing upper limb surgeries.