Decadron as Adjuvant in Femoral Nerve Blocks in Knee Arthroscopy

Following informed consent, patients will be randomized to one (1) of three (3) arms. Group D patients will receive 2 mg/kg of 0.5% ropivacaine (max. dose 100 mg) with 0.1 mg/kg preservative-free dexamethasone (max. dose 4 mg) perineurally for their femoral block. Group D will also receive a gluteal intramuscular injection of saline of volume equivalent to 0.1 mg/kg preservative-free dexamethasone (max. volume 0.4 ml). Group R patients will receive 2 mg/kg of 0.5% ropivacaine (max. dose 100 mg) combined with a volume of saline equivalent to 0.1 mg/kg preservative-free dexamethasone (max. volume 0.4 ml) perineurally. Group R will also receive a gluteal intramuscular injection of saline of volume equivalent to 0.1 mg/kg preservative-free dexamethasone (max. volume 0.4 ml). Group M patients will receive 2 mg/kg of 0.5% ropivacaine (max. dose 100 mg) combined with a volume of saline equivalent to 0.1 mg/kg preservative-free dexamethasone (max. volume 0.4 ml) perineurally. Group M will also receive a gluteal intramuscular injection of 0.1 mg/kg preservative-free dexamethasone (max. dose 4 mg). The randomization will be blinded to the patient, surgery team, anesthesia team, recovery nurses, and clinical research nurses.

The remainder of the anesthetic care will remain the same per our usual routine for these cases. On arrival to the operating room:

• Standard American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) monitors will be placed on the patient (ECG, pulse oximetry, non-invasive BP, thermistor).
• A peripheral intravenous catheter will be placed while patient is inhaling 50% nitrous oxide.
• Intravenous induction will be accomplished with midazolam 2 mg, propofol 2-3 mg/kg.
• Once induction is complete, a laryngeal mask airway will be placed.
• Maintenance of anesthesia will be provided with inhaled sevoflurane titration.
• The femoral nerve block will be performed by one of the anesthesiologist co-investigators.
• After completion of a pre-block time-out, the patient's groin on side of surgery will be prepped with chlorhexidine.
• Using aseptic technique, a needle will be advanced under ultrasound guidance to the femoral nerve.
• In addition to ultrasound, a nerve stimulator may be used at the anesthesiologist's discretion to help identify the femoral nerve.
• After identification of the femoral nerve, the perineural study drug will be injected around the femoral nerve.
• Using aseptic technique the intramuscular study drug will be injected into the gluteus muscle.
• For intraoperative increases in heart rate or systolic blood pressure >20 % above levels immediately prior to incision, fentanyl will be given in 1 µg/kg increments every 5 minutes until below this threshold. (No acetaminophen, ketorolac, or IV dexamethasone will be given)
• Once the patient arrives to PACU, dilaudid 5 µg/kg (max. dose 0.3 mg) every ten minutes may be given until patient VAS score is less than or equal to 4.
• In the surgery unit, patients may receive one dose of hydrocodone-acetaminophen (7.5 mg/325 mg/15 ml) liquid suspension 0.1 mg/kg hydrocodone PO (max. dose 10mg hydrocodone) and then may receive dilaudid 5 µg/kg IV if pain persists above a VAS of 4 (max. dose 0.3 mg).
• Patients will be discharged from the surgery unit with a prescription for hydrocodone-acetaminophen (7.5 mg/325 mg/15 ml) liquid suspension. The prescription will be for 0.1 mg/kg hydrocodone PO (max. dose 10 mg hydrocodone) every 4 hours as needed for all patients.
• Patients will be sent home with a pain diary to record consumption of pain medication, when 1st dose of pain medications was taken, when sensory and motor blocks resolved and degree of motor block 24 and 48 hours according to the Bromage scale (Table 1). All adverse effects including nausea, vomiting, pruritus, excessive sedation will be asked to be recorded in the diary.
• A clinical research nurse will collect information on opioid consumption on day of surgery (DOS) and intensity of motor block in PACU according to the Bromage scale.
• On post-operative day 1 and 2 a clinical research nurse will call to collect information from the diary for analysis. If sensory or motor blockade persists on day 2, then the patient will be called on day 3. If neurologic symptoms persist after 72 hours, the patient will be asked to come to pre-operative clinic for a neurologic examination by an anesthesiologist. If neurological deficits are present on exam, the patient will be referred to a neurologist. Neurology will then determine if further testing is required. In addition, all patients will be contacted by telephone at 2 weeks after study initiation. If any new neurologic deficits are reported at this time, patients will be brought into the preoperative clinic and undergo the same evaluations.

Inclusion criteria

• Children older than 10, and younger than 19 years of age undergoing unilateral arthroscopic surgery of the knee
• American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Status I or II
• Patient's parent/guardian willing and able to give consent
• Patient willing to give assent

Exclusion criteria

• Arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament repair
• Systemic steroid use within the last 3 months
• Diabetes mellitus
• Females testing positive for pregnancy
• BMI > 98th percentile
• Positive pregnancy test
• Coagulopathy
• Renal or hepatic disease
• Pre-existing motor or sensory deficits in the lower extremities
• Predisposition for falls based on pre-existing sensory or motor deficits of the legs or inability to perform crutch training.
• Non-English speaking
• Systemic fungal infection
• Immunosuppressed patients