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Analgesic Efficacy of Intravenous Dexmedetomidine for Supraclavicular Plexus Block

Phase 4
Completed
Conditions
Surgery
Interventions
Registration Number
NCT05389852
Lead Sponsor
Hôpital du Valais
Brief Summary

The goal of the study is to compare the duration of analgesia in patients undergoing forearm or hand surgery with a supraclavicular brachial plexus block, who receive either iv dexmedetomidine or placebo.

Detailed Description

Most surgical interventions on the forearm and the hand in Valais Hospital are performed under regional anesthesia. This ensures intraoperative patient comfort and reduces pain during the first 6 to 12 postoperative hours. A very common strategy to provide anesthesia of the arm is to inject local anesthetics in the region over the clavicle around the brachial plexus. This "supraclavicular brachial plexus block" is routinely performed in Valais Hospital and is always done under ultrasound guidance.

A drawback of locoregional anesthesia is the recurrence of pain once the effect of the block wears off after approximately 6 to 8 hours. This phenomenon is called rebound pain. It and can be very severe and debilitating, can significantly impact postoperative recovery and may also preclude ambulatory surgery as well as early mobilization and physiotherapy. Therefore, strategies that prolong the analgesic effect of locoregional anesthesia are warranted.

Dexmedetomidine is a selective α2-adrenoceptor agonists with sedative and analgesic properties. It has been shown to prolong the analgesic duration of local anesthetics when administered intravenously. However, the association of dexmedetomidine with long-acting local anesthetics for supraclavicular brachial plexus block has not been systematically investigated.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
100
Inclusion Criteria

Patients undergoing elbow, forearm or hand surgery under supraclavicular brachial plexus block Patients who are ASA physical status I-III

Exclusion criteria

  • Patient refusal
  • ASA physical status IV
  • History of hypersensitivity or intolerance to dexmedetomidine
  • History of hypersensitivity or intolerance to dexamethasone
  • History of hypersensitivity or intolerance to local anesthetics
  • History of recent (< 1 year) cerebrovascular insult
  • Second or third degree heart block
  • Uncontrolled hypotension
  • Conditions contraindicating supraclavicular brachial plexus block: neurological deficit or neuropathy of the arm, severe hepatic dysfunction (Child B and C), coagulopathy, malignancy or infection in the area above the clavicle
  • Chronic opioid use
  • Pregnancy
Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
intravenous dexmedetomidineDexmedetomidinePatients will receive intravenous dexmedetomidine 1 mcg/kg just after the supraclavicular brachial plexus block is completed
PlaceboDexmedetomidinePatients will receive intravenous placebo (normal saline) just after the supraclavicular brachial plexus is completed
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
duration of analgesia24 hours on day of surgery

time in minutes from end of injection of local anesthetic till first analgesic request

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Duration of motor block24 hours on day of surgery

time in minutes from completion of locoregional anesthesia and the moment the patient can again mobilize the arm

Duration of sensory block24 hours on day of surgery

time in minutes from completion of locoregional anesthesia and the moment the patient regains sensation of the arm

Pain scores at rest4, 24, 48 hours postoperatively

Pain scores at rest on numeric scale, 0=no pain at all to 10=worst pain imaginable

Pain scores on movement4, 24, 48 hours postoperatively

Pain scores on movement, on numeric scale, 0=no pain at all to 10=worst pain imaginable

Cumulative amount of opiate analgesic medication consumed24, 48 hours postoperatively

in intravenous morphine equivalents (mg)

Patient satisfaction7 days postoperatively

on 4 point Likert scale: dissatisfied / neutral / satisfied / extremely satisfied

Total number of dexmedetomidine-related side effects24 hours postoperatively

Total number of dexmedetomidine-related side effects, in particular bradycardia and hypotension

Dexmedetomidine-related side effects24 hours postoperatively

Number and % of patients who experience at least one dexmedetomidine-related side effect

Opioid-related side effect24 hours postoperatively

Number and % of patients who experience at least one opioid-related side effect

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Hopital du Valais

🇨🇭

Sion, Switzerland

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