Dexamethasone or Dexmedetomidine as Local Anesthetic Adjuvants for Ultrasound-guided Axillary Brachial Plexus Blocks with Nerve Stimulation.
- Author:
Myeong Jong LEE
1
;
Dae Jeong KOO
;
Yu Sun CHOI
;
Kyu Chang LEE
;
Hye Young KIM
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords: Analgesia; Brachial plexus block; Dexamethasone; Dexmedetomidine; Ropivacaine; Ultrasound
- MeSH: Adjuvants, Anesthesia*; Analgesia; Brachial Plexus*; Dexamethasone*; Dexmedetomidine*; Forearm; Hand; Humans; Ultrasonography
- From:The Korean Journal of Pain 2016;29(1):29-33
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- 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.
