Intravenous Dexamethasone as an Adjuvant to Dexmedetomidine After Superior Trunk Block for Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery

Summary

This study aims to evaluate whether adding intravenous dexamethasone to standard intravenous dexmedetomidine improves pain control after shoulder arthroscopy performed under a superior trunk block. Shoulder arthroscopy is a common surgical procedure that can cause moderate to severe postoperative pain. In this study, adult patients undergoing elective arthroscopic shoulder surgery will receive a nerve block called a superior trunk block to control pain during and after surgery. All participants will also receive intravenous dexmedetomidine, a medication commonly used to enhance analgesia. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group will receive intravenous dexamethasone, while the other group will receive a placebo (saline solution). Neither the patients nor the healthcare providers nor the outcome assessors will know which treatment each participant receives. The main goal of the study is to determine how long it takes before patients require their first additional pain medication after surgery. Secondary outcomes include pain scores, total pain medication use, duration of nerve block, rebound pain, side effects, and patient satisfaction. The findings of this study may help improve postoperative pain management strategies for patients undergoing shoulder arthroscopy.

Timeline

Start

2026-04-25

Primary completion

2026-07-20

Completion

2026-08-20

Publications

• Background Kim Y, Yoo S, Kim SH, Kim H, Bae J, Park SK, Kim JT, Lim YJ. Comparison between low-volume local anesthetic with intravenous dexamethasone and conventional volume without dexamethasone for superior trunk block after arthroscopic shoulder surgery: a randomized controlled non-inferiority trial. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2024 Aug 5;49(8):558-564. doi: 10.1136/rapm-2023-104520.

Drugs

Indications

No indication recorded.