Analgesic Effect of Adductor Canal Block With and Without Dexamethasone for Knee Arthroscopy

Adductor canal block was done by Ultra-sound. After confirmation of the block and exclusion of any signs of toxicity or nerve injury, the patients operations were done under spinal anesthesia. Patients were allocated into one of 2 groups (30 patients per group).

I. Group I: the patients received a single-shot of 20 ml plain bupivacaine (0.5%) +2 ml normal saline.

ii.Group II: the patients received 20ml plain bupivacaine (0.5%) + 8 mg dexamethasone (2ml).

Postoperative pain were assessed by Numeric Rating Scale (N.R.S) every 6 h post-operatively for 24 h.

Whenever, the NRS Score was ≥4 or the patient requested pain medication, analgesia was provided by ketorolac 30 mg amp IV, then morphine 1mg ̸ kg slowly IV as a rescue analgesia. Time to first request for analgesia & total dose of rescue analgesia were be recorded.

• Satisfaction score will be measured on a linear numerical scale; ranging from 0 = complete dissatisfaction to 10 = complete satisfaction. Any post-operative side effects, like nausea, vomiting, bradycardia, hypotension will be also documented. The time to first analgesic requirement will be recorded, and the cumulative, post-operative opioid consumption in 24 h post-operatively will be recorded. Assessment of Quadriceps Strength at preoperative, 6, 12, 18, and 24 h postoperative from zero to 5.

Inclusion criteria

• Adult ASA I-II Arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Exclusion criteria

• patient refusal
• drug allergy
• failed procedure