Effect of Adding Dexamethasone to Bupivacaine in Ultrasound-Guided Supraclavicular Brachial Plexus Blocks Versus Bupivacaine Alone for Upper Limb Orthopaedic Surgery

Effect of Adding Dexamethasone to Bupivacaine in Ultrasound-Guided Supraclavicular Brachial Plexus Blocks Versus Bupivacaine Alone for Upper Limb Orthopaedic Surgery

• SCBPBs provides optimal conditions for procedures performed below the mid-upper arm (elbow, forearm, wrist, hand) due to its high success rate and ease of access.
• Dexamethasone, when administered perineurally as an adjuvant for a supraclavicular block, demonstrated early onset of sensory and motor block, a prolonged duration of sensory and motor block, and a lower number of rescue analgesics as compared to bupivacaine alone.
• A combination of dexamethasone and bupivacaine is paramount in adult orthopeadic patient to enhance the efficacy of pain management under ultrasound-guided supraclavicular brachial plexus block.

Inclusion Criteria:

Aged 18-60 years with ASA I and II who were scheduled for elective elbow, forearm, or hand surgery under ultrasound-guided supraclavicular block.

Exclusion Criteria:

Patients who refused, used local anaesthetics other than bupivacaine, had multiple traumas, addition of another additive, bleeding disorders, patients diagnosed with chronic pain, cancer pain, local infection at the injection site, history of local anaesthetic allergy, patients with anxiety, and inability to comprehend or use the pain rating scale