Supraclavicular brachial plexus block using ropivacaine alone or combined with dexmedetomidine for upper limb surgery: A prospective, randomized, double-blinded, comparative study

Safety and efficacy of dexmedetomidine in combination with local anesthetics for orthopedic nerve blocks: a systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Peripheral nerve block, a common technique for managing postoperative pain and providing intraoperative analgesia, often includes adjuncts like dexmedetomidine (DEX) to enhance the effectiveness of local anesthetics. DEX, known for its α2-adrenoceptor agonist properties, extends sensory blockade and improves postoperative analgesia while offering sedative benefits. The objective of this study is to rigorously assess the effectiveness and safety of perineural DEX injection in orthopedic nerve block procedures, focusing on orthopedic surgeries to minimize heterogeneity and provide clearer insights for clinical practice.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

This meta-analysis, registered on PROSPERO, involved a comprehensive literature search across multiple databases, focusing on RCTs comparing DEX with local anesthetics for peripheral nerve blocks in orthopedic surgery patients. The eligibility criteria included adult participants and various nerve block methods in orthopedic surgeries. Studies were rigorously appraised for methodological quality using Cochrane Handbook guidelines. GRADE profiler 3.6 was used for evidence grading.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Among 1391 documents, 21 studies were included, focusing on DEX with local anesthetics in orthopedic nerve blocks. Findings showed significant improvements in analgesia duration, sensory and motor block duration, and reduced postoperative opioid consumption, with an increased risk of bradycardia. Quality assessments indicated moderate bias risk.

CONCLUSIONS

DEX with local anesthetics significantly enhances nerve block effectiveness, extending analgesia and block durations while reducing opioid need. However, it requires careful monitoring due to increased bradycardia risk. These findings highlight the need for cautious use in clinical practice, considering both potential benefits and adverse effects.

The effect of adjuvants added to local anaesthetics for single-injection upper extremity peripheral regional anaesthesia: A systematic review with network meta-analysis of randomised trials

BACKGROUND

Peripheral regional anaesthesia is frequently used for upper extremity surgery. To prolong the duration of analgesia, adjuvants can be added to single-injection local anaesthetics. Despite attempts to compare several adjuvants in pairwise meta-analyses, a comprehensive comparison is still missing.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this network meta-analysis was to determine the effectiveness of adjuvants in upper extremity peripheral nerve blocks.

DESIGN

A systematic review of randomised controlled trials with network meta-analyses.

DATA SOURCES

A literature search in Embase, CENTRAL, MEDLINE and Web of Science was performed up to March 2023.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Randomised trials comparing different adjuvants injected perineurally in peripheral upper extremity nerve blocks were eligible. Frequentist network meta-analysis was conducted using a random effects model with physiological saline as the comparator. The primary endpoint was the ratio of means (ROM) of the duration of analgesia.

RESULTS

The review included 242 randomised controlled trials with a total of 17 391 patients. Twenty-eight adjuvants were compared in the largest networks. Most network estimations consisted of a high proportion of direct evidence. Fourteen adjuvants increased the duration of analgesia significantly by the following factors, ROM [95% confidence interval (CI)]: dexamethasone 1.95 (1.79 to 2.13), buprenorphine 1.83 (1.51 to 2.24), butorphanol 1.84 (1.41 to 2.39), potassium chloride 1.89 (1.15 to 3.11), dexmedetomidine 1.70 (1.59 to 1.81), sufentanil 1.70 (1.27 to 2.29), ketorolac 1.68 (1.24 to 2.27), midazolam 1.55 (1.24 to 1.94), tramadol 1.52 (1.32 to 1.75), nalbuphine 1.50 (1.30 to 1.72), morphine 1.43 (1.09 to 1.88), magnesium sulfate 1.42 (1.20 to 1.67), clonidine 1.36 (1.24 to 1.50) and fentanyl 1.23 (1.08 to 1.40). Inconsistency in network meta-analysis was substantial. Overall side effect rates were low with all adjuvants.

CONCLUSION

The best interventions to prolong the duration of analgesia were dexamethasone, followed by dexmedetomidine, opioids, electrolytes, ketorolac and midazolam. There are general concerns about the quality of underlying studies and the risk of publication bias.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

PROSPERO 2018 CRD42018115722.

Perineural dexmedetomidine in femoral nerve blocks increases the duration of postoperative analgesia for anterolateral thigh flap donor sites in patients with oral cancer

Although the duration of analgesia provided by a single-shot nerve block is limited, perineural dexmedetomidine significantly enhances nerve blocks during extremity surgery. This study aimed to investigate the role of dexmedetomidine added to ropivacaine in femoral nerve blocks for postoperative analgesia of the anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap donor site in patients with oral cancer. Fifty-two participants scheduled for maxillofacial tumor resection and reconstruction using an anterolateral thigh flap were randomly allocated to either the Ropi group (femoral nerve block with ropivacaine) or the Ropi + Dex group (femoral nerve block with ropivacaine plus dexmedetomidine). The primary outcome was the duration of the sensory block, while the secondary outcomes were 24 h postoperative sufentanil use, number of patients using rescue analgesics, vital signs, postoperative pain score, incidence of agitation, and presence of adverse effects. Dexmedetomidine plus ropivacaine significantly prolonged the duration of sensory block compared with ropivacaine alone (10.4 ± 0.9 h vs 14.0 ± 1.3 h; P < 0.001). Age was positively correlated with increased duration of sensory block (r = 0.300; P = 0.033). Postoperative pain scores at the donor sites were lower in the Ropi + Dex group than in the Ropi group, at 12 h after surgery (P < 0.001). Although there were no statistically significant differences in the incidence of bradycardia between the two groups, four patients treated with dexmedetomidine experienced episodes of bradycardia. Perineural dexmedetomidine prolonged the duration of femoral nerve block and reduced postoperative pain scores at the ALT flap donor sites in patients with oral cancer.

Opioid-Sparing Perioperative Analgesia Within Enhanced Recovery Programs

Opioid-based analgesia in the perioperative period can provide excellent pain control, but this approach exposes the patient to avoidable side effects and possible harm. Optimal analgesia, an approach that targets the fastest functional recovery with adequate pain control while minimizing side effects, can be achieved with opioid minimization. Many different options for nonopioid multimodal analgesia exist and have been shown to be efficacious, with certain modalities being more beneficial for specific surgeries. This review will present the evidence and practical tips for these management strategies.

Alpha2 -receptor agonists as adjuvants for brachial plexus nerve blocks-A systematic review with meta-analyses

BACKGROUND

We review the efficacy and safety of dexmedetomidine and clonidine as perineural or systemic adjuvants for brachial plexus blocks (BPB).

METHODS

We included randomised controlled trials on upper limb surgery with BPBs in adults, comparing dexmedetomidine with clonidine or either drug with placebo. The primary outcome was duration of analgesia. Secondary outcomes included adverse and serious adverse events. The review was conducted using Cochrane standards, trial sequential analyses (TSA) and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE).

RESULTS

We included 101 trials with 6248 patients. Overall, duration of analgesia was prolonged with both clonidine (176 min [TSA adj. 95% CI: 118, 205, p < .00001; 33 trials]) and dexmedetomidine (292 min [TSA adj. 95% CI: 245 329, p < .00001; 53 trials]), but was longer for dexmedetomidine than clonidine (205 min [TSA adj. 95% CI: 157, 254, p < .00001; 19 trials]). Compared with placebo, dexmedetomidine was associated with bradycardia (RR 4.2 [95% CI 2.2, 8.3]), and both clonidine (RR 4.5 [95% CI 1.1, 18.3]) and dexmedetomidine (RR 3.9 [95% CI 2.0, 7.5]) were associated with hypotension. Serious adverse events were mostly related to block technique. GRADE-rated quality of evidence was low or very low.

CONCLUSION

Alpha2-receptor agonists used as adjuvants for BPBs lead to a prolonged duration of analgesia, with dexmedetomidine as the most efficient. Alpha2-receptor agonists were associated with increased risk of cardiovascular adverse events. The quality of evidence was low to very low.

Perineural and intravenous dexamethasone and dexmedetomidine: network meta-analysis of adjunctive effects on supraclavicular brachial plexus block

Both perineural and intravenous dexamethasone and dexmedetomidine are used as local anaesthetic adjuncts to enhance peripheral nerve block characteristics. However, the effects of dexamethasone and dexmedetomidine based on their administration routes have not been directly compared, and the relative extent to which each adjunct prolongs sensory blockade remains unclear. This network meta-analysis sought to compare and rank the effects of perineural and intravenous dexamethasone and dexmedetomidine as supraclavicular block adjuncts. We sought randomised trials investigating the effects of adding perineural and intravenous dexamethasone or dexmedetomidine to long-acting local anaesthetics on supraclavicular block characteristics, including time to block onset and durations of sensory, motor and analgesic blockade. Data were compared and ranked according to relative effectiveness for each outcome. Our primary outcome was sensory block duration, with a 2-h difference considered clinically important. We performed a frequentist analysis, using the GRADE framework to appraise evidence. One-hundred trials (5728 patients) were included. Expressed as mean (95%CI), the control group (local anaesthetic alone) had a duration of sensory block of 401 (366-435) min, motor block duration of 369 (330-408) min and analgesic duration of 435 (386-483) min. Compared with control, sensory block was prolonged most by intravenous dexamethasone [mean difference (95%CI) 477 (160-795) min], followed by perineural dexamethasone [411 (343-480) min] and perineural dexmedetomidine [284 (235-333) min]. Motor block was prolonged most by perineural dexamethasone [mean difference (95%CI) 294 (236-352) min], followed by intravenous dexamethasone [289 (129-448)min] and perineural dexmedetomidine [258 (212-304)min]. Analgesic duration was prolonged most by perineural dexamethasone [mean difference (95%CI) 518 (448-589) min], followed by intravenous dexamethasone [478 (277-679) min] and perineural dexmedetomidine [318 (266-371) min]. Intravenous dexmedetomidine did not prolong sensory, motor or analgesic block durations. No major network inconsistencies were found. The quality of evidence for intravenous dexamethasone, perineural dexamethasone and perineural dexmedetomidine for prolongation of supraclavicular sensory block duration was 'low', 'very low' and 'low', respectively. Regardless of route, dexamethasone as an adjunct prolonged the durations of sensory and analgesic blockade to a greater extent than dexmedetomidine. Differences in block characteristics between perineural and intravenous dexamethasone were not clinically important. Intravenous dexmedetomidine did not affect block characteristics.

Articaine and Dexmedetomidine - Supplemented Articaine for Arteriovenous Fistula Creation under Ultrasound-guided Supraclavicular Block

Background

Articaine has emerged as a local anesthetic (LA) that produces sensory and motor blockade shorter than bupivacaine and lower in neurotoxicity than lidocaine. Studies have shown that adding dexmedetomidine to LA produces prolongation of sensory and motor bock duration. Early regain of motor power with adequate analgesia is needed in hemodialysis fistula creation surgery, for early start of physiotherapy. We designed this study to test efficacy of adding dexmedetomidine to articaine on the duration of sensory and motor block.

Methods

After university review board approval, written informed consent to participate in the study was obtained. Patients with chronic renal failure undergoing radiocephalic hemodialysis fistula creation were eligible for enrollment in this double-blind, randomized trial. Patients receive either 40 ml of 2% articaine hydrochloride or 40 ml of articaine 2% mixed with dexmedetomidine (1 μg.kg ^{- 1}). Sensory block duration in minutes is assessed by pinprick test and motor block duration in minutes is tested by Bromage scale; both are recorded as a primary outcome. Secondary outcomes, including onset of sensory and motor block, time for rescue analgesia, hemodynamic changes, oversedation, and possible side effect, were recorded.

Results

Fifty patients were enrolled in the study (25 in the articaine Group A and 25 in the articaine and dexmedetomidine group [AD]). Longer sensory block duration was in Group AD (230-260 min) than in Group A (172-185 min) with P < 0.001. In addition, motor block duration was significantly longer in Group AD than in Group A, (220 ± 110 min), (165 ± 45 min), respectively. The duration of effective analgesia was significantly longer in Group AD (363 ± 134 min) versus in Group A (244 ± 84 min). The onset of block was short and similar between groups.

Conclusion

Addition of dexmedetomidine to articaine during arteriovenous fistula creation provide prolongation of sensory and motor block duration and augment analgesia.

Trial registration

This trial was registered at Clinical trial.gov https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04171349 with the identification number NCT04171349.

Prolonged Analgesic Efficacy of Articaine with the Addition of Tramadol in Axillary Brachial Plexus Block

Objectives

Articaine is a rapid-onset, short-duration, local anesthetic. The aim of this study was to study the effect of adding tramadol to articaine in an axillary block to prolong the analgesic effect.

Methods

This study was conducted with 60 patients of American Association of Anesthesiologists classification I or II and aged 18 to 60 years who underwent hand or forearm surgery with an axillary plexus block using a nerve stimulation technique. The patients were randomized into 2 groups: Group A (n=30) received 40 mL 1% articaine and Group AT (n=30) was administered 40 mL 1% articaine with 100 mg tramadol. The onset of sensory block, motor block, duration of sensorial block and motor block, duration of analgesia and hemodynamic parameters were recorded before the block and 5, 10, 20, 30, 60, 120, 180 minutes after the local anesthetic injection.

Results

The sensory block duration in Group AT (187.5±13.0 min) was significantly longer than that of group A (140.78±8.74 min) (p<0.02). The motor block duration in Group AT (137.4±3 min) was significantly longer than that seen in Group A (93.71±9.6 min) (p<0.01). The duration of analgesia was longer in Group AT (218.8±18.2 min) than in Group A (170.8±17.2 min) (p<0.05). In group AT, 2 patients experienced the side effect of nausea and 1 patient had hypotension in the postoperative period.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that the addition of 100 mg of tramadol to articaine used for an axillary plexus block prolonged analgesia.

Comparative Evaluation of Dexamethasone and Dexmedetomidine as Adjuvants for Bupivacaine in Ultrasound-Guided Infraorbital Nerve Block for Cleft Lip Repair: A Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blind Study

Purpose

To compare dexamethasone (DA) to dexmedetomidine (DE) as adjuvants for bupivacaine during infraorbital nerve block (IONB) in a randomized clinical trial.

Patients and Methods

One hundred patients were randomized into two equal groups. By the guidance of ultrasound, the IONB was performed bilaterally in all patients, using 1 mL of the solution on each side. In DA group, 1 mL of 0.5% bupivacaine was added to 0.1 mg.kg-1 DA and diluted to 2 mL in DE group; 1 mL of 0.5% bupivacaine was added to 0.5 μg.kg^-1 DE and diluted to 2 mL. The primary outcome was time to first rescue analgesic. The secondary outcomes included face legs activity cry consolability (FLACC) score rating during the first 24 h, hemodynamic variables, the incidence of postoperative vomiting, sedation score, and parent satisfaction.

Results

During the first 24 h postoperatively, the DE group showed a significantly lower FLACC score and a longer time to first analgesic request compared to DA group. Sedation and parent satisfaction scores were significantly higher while heart rate and mean blood pressure were significantly lower in DE group compared to DA group. There were no differences in other secondary outcomes.

Conclusion

The use of DE as an adjuvant to bupivacaine in IONB for cleft lip repair resulted in lower pain score and more prolonged duration of analgesia compared to DA.

The effect and safety of dexmedetomidine added to ropivacaine in brachial plexus block: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Dexmedetomidine has been used as an adjuvanty added to local anesthetics to prolong analgesia following peripheral nerve blockade. The aim of this meta-analysis was to investigate the effect and safety of dexmedetomidine added to ropivacaine in brachial plexus block (BPB).

METHODS

A search strategy was created to identify eligible randomized clinical trial (RCT) in PubMed, Embase, and The Cochrane Library (updated May, 2018). The methodologic quality for each included study was evaluated using the Cochrane Tool for Risk of Bias by 2 independent researchers.

RESULTS

Twelve RCTs were included in the meta-analysis (n = 671). As an adjuvant to ropivacaine, dexmedetomidine significantly reduced the onset time of sensory (mean difference [MD], -3.86 minutes, 95% CI -5.45 to -2.27 minutes; I = 85%) and motor (MD, -5.21 minutes; 95% CI -7.48 to -2.94 minutes; I = 94%). In addition, it increased the blockade duration of sensory (MD, 228.70 minutes; 95% CI 187.87-269.52 minutes; I = 93%) and motor (MD, 191.70 minutes; 95% CI 152.48-230.91 minutes; I = 92%). Moreover, the combination prolonged the duration of analgesia (MD, 303.04 minutes; 95% CI 228.84-377.24 minutes; I = 86%). There was no difference of the incidence of bradycardia (risk difference [RD], 0.01, 95% CI -0.02 to 0.05, I = 45%; P = .45) and hypotension (RD, 0.01, 95% CI -0.01 to 0.03, I = 0%; P = .57) between 2 groups.

CONCLUSION

Dexmedetomidine added to ropivacaine in BPB has a better analgesia effect (shorter onset time and longer duration) compared to ropivacaine alone. At the same time, there was no difference in the incidence of bradycardia and hypotension.

Analgesic effect of Ropivacaine combined with Dexmedetomidine on brachial plexus block

Background

This randomized controlled study investigated the analgesic effect of ropivacaine in combination with dexmedetomidine versus ropivacaine alone on brachial plexus block to provide alternative anesthetic means for upper limb trauma surgery.

Methods

Totally 114 patients who received upper limb surgeries under brachial plexus block anesthesia in our hospital from February 2013 to July 2015 were enrolled. The patients were randomized to ropivacaine alone (the control group) or ropivacaine combined with dexmedetomidine (the combination group). The blocking effect on sensory and motor neurons, visual analog scale (VAS) score, heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), peripheral capillary oxygen saturation (SPO₂) and adverse reactions were compared between the two groups.

Results

The time to onset of sensory and motor nerve blockade was significantly shorter in the combination group than in the control group (8.9 min vs. 12.4 min for sensation blockade; 7.5 min vs. 12.8 min for motor blockade, P < 0.05 for both comparisons), and the duration of the blockade was significantly longer in the combination group (590.2 min vs. 532.1 min, P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in VAS scores between the two groups immediately and 4 h after surgery; however, 8, 12 and 24 h after surgery, the VAS scores were all significantly lower in the combination group than the control group (2.4 vs. 3.0 for 8 h; 2.2 vs. 4.2 for 12 h, and 2.1 vs. 5.4 for 24 h, respectively, P < 0.05 for all comparisons). There was no statistical difference in HR, MAP and SPO₂ between the two groups before anesthesia, but after anesthesia, the MAP and HR were significantly lower, and the SPO₂ was significantly higher in the combination group than the control group (78 vs. 84 for MAP; 72 vs. 79 for HR; and 95.1 vs. 88.2 for SPO₂, P < 0.05 for all comparisons). The rates of adverse reaction was significantly lower in the combination group than the control group (3.6 vs. 7.2, P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The brachial plexus blocking effect of ropivacaine combined with dexmedetomidine was superior to that of ropivacaine alone, mainly intra-operatively and postoperatively.

Trial registration

Analgesic Effect of Ropivacaine Combined with Dexmedetomidine on Brachial Plexus Block, ChiCTR1800017372, retrospectively registered on July 26, 2018.

American Society for Enhanced Recovery (ASER) and Perioperative Quality Initiative (POQI) joint consensus statement on optimal analgesia within an enhanced recovery pathway for colorectal surgery: part 1-from the preoperative period to PACU

Background

Within an enhanced recovery pathway (ERP), the approach to treating pain should be multifaceted and the goal should be to deliver “optimal analgesia,” which we define in this paper as a technique that optimizes patient comfort and facilitates functional recovery with the fewest medication side effects.

Methods

With input from a multi-disciplinary, international group of clinicians, and through a structured review of the literature and use of a modified Delphi method, we achieved consensus surrounding the topic of optimal analgesia in the perioperative period for colorectal surgery patients.

Discussion

As a part of the first Perioperative Quality Improvement (POQI) workgroup meeting, we sought to develop a consensus document describing a comprehensive, yet rational and practical, approach for developing an evidence-based plan for achieving optimal analgesia, specifically for a colorectal surgery ERP. The goal was two-fold: (a) that application of this process would lead to improved patient outcomes and (b) that investigation of the questions raised would identify knowledge gaps to aid the direction for research into analgesia within ERPs in the years to come. This document details the evidence for a wide range of analgesic components, with particular focus from the preoperative period to the post-anesthesia care unit. The overall conclusion is that the combination of analgesic techniques employed in the perioperative period is not important as long as it is effective in delivering the goal of optimal analgesia as set forth in this document.

Dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to local anesthetics in brachial plexus blocks: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Brachial plexus block (BPB) for upper extremity surgery provides superior analgesia, but this advantage is limited by the pharmacological duration of local anesthetics. Dexmedetomidine (DEX) as a local anesthetics adjuvant for BPB has been utilized to prolong the duration of the nerve block in some randomized controlled trials (RCTs) but is far from unanimous in the efficacy and safety of the perineural route. Hence, an updated meta-analysis was conducted to assess the efficacy and safety of DEX as local anesthetic adjuvants on BPB.

METHODS

A search in electronic databases was conducted to collect the RCTs that investigated the impact of adding DEX to local anesthetics for BPB. Sensory block duration, motor block duration, onset time of sensory and motor block, time to first analgesic request, the common adverse effects were analyzed.

RESULTS

Eighteen trails (1014 patients) were included with 515 patients receiving perineural DEX. The addition of DEX prolonged the duration of sensory block (WMD 257 minutes, 95%CI 191.79-322.24, P < 0.001), motor block (WMD 242 minutes, 95%CI 174.94-309.34, P < 0.001), and analgesia (WMD 26 6 minutes, 95%CI 190.75-342.81, P < 0.001). Perineural DEX also increased the risk of bradycardia (OR=8.25, 95%CI 3.95-17.24, P < 0.001), hypotension (OR = 5.62, 95%CI 1.52-20.79, P < 0.01), and somnolence (OR = 19.67, 95%CI 3.94-98.09, P < 0.001). There was a lack of evidence that perineural DEX increased the risk of other adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS

DEX is a potential anesthetic adjuvant that can facilitate better anesthesia and analgesia when administered in BPB. However, it also increased the risk of bradycardia, hypotension, and somnolence. Further research should focus on the efficacy and safety of the preneural administration of DEX.