Background & Aims

The objective of this study was to examine analgesia when using perineural dexamethasone compound in an interscalene brachial plexus block following shoulder surgery.

Methods

This study was designed as a randomized double-blind clinical trial. Patients meeting the specified criteria were randomly divided into two groups: the experimental group and the control group, each comprising 30 individuals. Age and gender were matched between the groups.
The control group received lidocaine along with 2 CC of 0.5% bupivacaine (20 milligrams) and 2 CC of normal saline, while the experimental group received lidocaine along with 2 CC of 0.5% bupivacaine and 2 CC of dexamethasone. Pain levels were assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and covariance analysis was applied for data analysis.

Results

The results demonstrated that pain intensity was notably lower in the experimental (dexamethasone) group compared to the control group at both the 12-hour group (p<0.001) and 24-hour (p<0.001) postoperative marks. Dexamethasone significantly reduced pain among the patients.

Conclusions

Administering dexamethasone to potential candidates for shoulder surgery could lead to prolonged analgesia for up to 24 hours post-surgery. Consequently, this medication can serve as an efficacious analgesic option for pain management in these patients.

References

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Presenting Author

Mahshid Ghasemi

Poster Authors

Faranak Behnaz

Associate professor

Shahid Beheshti of Medical Science univercity

Lead Author

Topics

  • Pain in Special Populations: Non-verbal