Intravenous Dexamethasone to Increase the Analgesic Duration of Interscalene Block

Pain Clinical Trial

Official title: Impact of Two Doses of Intravenous Dexamethasone on the Analgesic Duration of a Single-shot Interscalene Block With Ropivacaine for Shoulder Arthroscopy; a Prospective, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Study

Status Completed

Clinical Trial Summary

Interscalene brachial plexus block provides excellent but time limited analgesia. Intravenous dexamethasone increases the analgesic duration of a single-shot interscalene block with ropivacaine for shoulder arthroscopic surgery. We want to evaluate the effect of two different doses (dexamethasone 10 mg i.v. vs 4 mg i.v. vs placebo) on the analgesic duration of a single-shot inter scalene block. Our study hypothesis is that dexamethasone 4 mg i.v. is equivalent to dexamethasone10 mg i.v. in prolonging the analgesic duration of a single-shot interscalene block with ropivacaine.

Clinical Trial Description

75 patients will be randomly assigned to three groups:

• D10: dexamethasone 10 mg I.V. diluted in normal saline 20cc, immediately after inter scalene block

• D4: dexamethasone 4 mg I.V. diluted in normal saline 20cc, immediately after inter scalene block

• C: control: Normal saline 20cc I.V., immediately after inter scalene block. These patient will be recruited from 3 hospitals, with two surgeons performing the surgeries.

All patients will have their surgery under regional anesthesia only provided by the inter scalene plexus block, with ropivacaine 0.5% 20cc.

In the postoperative period, patients will be given analgesic medication on an as needed basis. They will be instructed to take the first analgesic medication once postoperative shoulder pain has reached >3/10. They will note the time and day at which this outcome occurs. ;

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Pain

• NCT number: NCT02412657
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: September 2014
• Completion date: November 2015