Korean J Pain.  2016 Jan;29(1):29-33. 10.3344/kjp.2016.29.1.29.

Dexamethasone or Dexmedetomidine as Local Anesthetic Adjuvants for Ultrasound-guided Axillary Brachial Plexus Blocks with Nerve Stimulation

• Lee MJ
• Koo DJ
• Choi YS
• Lee KC
• Kim HY

• KMID: 2151657
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3344/kjp.2016.29.1.29

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of dexamethasone or dexmedetomidine added to ropivacaine on the onset and duration of ultrasound-guided axillary brachial plexus blocks (BPB).
METHODS
Fifty-one ASA physical status I-II patients with elective forearm and hand surgery under axillary brachial plexus blocks were randomly allocated to receive 20 ml of 0.5% ropivacaine with 2 ml of isotonic saline (C group, n = 17), 20 ml of 0.5% ropivacaine with 2 ml (10 mg) of dexamethasone (D group, n = 17) or 20 ml of 0.5% ropivacaine with 2 ml (100 microg) of dexmedetomidine (DM group, n = 17). A nerve stimulation technique with ultrasound was used in all patients. The onset time and duration of sensory blocks were assessed.
RESULTS
The duration of the sensory block was extended in group D and group DX compared with group C (P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference between group D and group DX. However, there were no significant differences in onset time in all three groups.
CONCLUSIONS
Dexamethasone 10 mg and dexmedetomidine 100 microg were equally effective in extending the duration of ropivacaine in ultrasound-guided axillary BPB with nerve stimulation. However, neither drug has significantly effects the onset time.

Keyword

Analgesia; Brachial plexus block; Dexamethasone; Dexmedetomidine; Ropivacaine; Ultrasound

MeSH Terms

Adjuvants, Anesthesia*
Analgesia
Brachial Plexus*
Dexamethasone*
Dexmedetomidine*
Forearm
Hand
Humans
Ultrasonography
Adjuvants, Anesthesia
Dexamethasone
Dexmedetomidine

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