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.

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Key information

Conditions

Dexamethasone Bupivacaine Upper Limb Surgery

Age range

18 year–60 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Mohammed Gebi

Āsela, Ethiopia

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

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

Treatment and study plan

Dexamethasone 8 mg

Drug

Adding 8 mg of dexamethasone to bupivacaine for ultrasound-guided supraclavicular block

Primary outcomes

The onset of sensory and motor blockade, and the duration of sensory and motor blockade in minutes.

Time frame: with in the first 24hrs after procedure
- The onset of sensory: the period between injecting a study solution and losing sensation to a pinprick at every nerve distribution
- The onset of motor block: The duration between the injection of the study solution and paresis in every nerve distribution.
- duration of sensory: the period between the onset of a sensory block and the complete restoration of sensation.
- Duration of motor block: the period between the onset of a motor block and the complete restoration of motor function.

Secondary outcomes

postoperative pain score by a visual analogue scale

Time frame: with in the first 24 hrs after procedure

This assesses behavioural or subjective phenomena by having the participant choose an alternative from a gradient ranging from 0 = (no pain) to 100 = worst possible pain. Based on the VAS score, 0-20 mm = no pain; 21-40 mm = mild pain; 41-60 mm = moderate pain; 61-80 mm = severe pain; and 81-100 mm = the worst pain imaginable
First analgesic request time

Time frame: With in the first 24 hrs after surgery

The first postoperative period, when patients require pain treatment if the visual analogue score is>4

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Arsi University

Other

Registry information

Acronym: SCBPBs

Important dates

Study start: 2024
Primary completion: 2024
Study completion: 2024
First posted: Feb 10, 2026
Registry last updated: Feb 10, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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Completed