The Optimal Time of IV Dexamethasone Administration for Prolongation of Peripheral Nerve Block

• Status: Recruiting
• Trial end date: 2021-12-30
• Target enrollment: 0
• Participant gender: All

Summary

The purpose of this study is to determine the optimal timing of IV dexamethasone for prolongation of ultrasound (US) guided supraclavicular brachial plexus block (SCB) in patients undergoing unilateral hand or forearm surgery at the Toronto Western Hospital. Investigators seek to answer which timing of IV dexamethasone will provide the maximum block prolongation. Investigators hypothesize that IV dexamethasone administered either before or after the block will further extend the duration of analgesia provided.

• Phase: Phase 4
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers?: No

Details

• Lead Sponsor: University Health Network, Toronto
• Treatments: Dexamethasone

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients having isolated hand or forearm surgery under anesthetic ultrasound - guided SCB

• ASA class I - III

• Age 18 - 80 years, inclusive

• BMI <35

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pre - existing neuropathy or neurological deficit in the distribution of the nerves to be anaesthetized

• Contra-indication to regional anesthesia / supraclavicular brachial plexus blockade; bleeding diathesis, coagulopathy, local infection, severe respiratory disease

• Anatomical deformity precluding block placement

• Patients with a known history of hypersensitivity to local anesthetics and / or dexamethasone

• Patients taking steroid therapy

• Positive pregnancy test

• Inability to give informed consent

• Anticipated surgical time < 30 or > 180 minutes

• Any known contraindication for IV dexamethasone as per the product monograph:bacteremia and systemic fungal infections, hypersensitivity to any of the products components, gastric and duodenal ulcers, certain viral infections (i.e. varicella & herpes genitalis)