Intravenous Dexamethasone as an Adjuvant to Dexmedetomidine After Superior Trunk Block for Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery

This study aims to evaluate whether adding intravenous dexamethasone to standard intravenous dexmedetomidine improves pain control after shoulder arthroscopy performed under a superior trunk block. Shoulder arthroscopy is a common surgical procedure that can cause moderate to severe postoperative pain.

In this study, adult patients undergoing elective arthroscopic shoulder surgery will receive a nerve block called a superior trunk block to control pain during and after surgery. All participants will also receive intravenous dexmedetomidine, a medication commonly used to enhance analgesia.

Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group will receive intravenous dexamethasone, while the other group will receive a placebo (saline solution). Neither the patients nor the healthcare providers nor the outcome assessors will know which treatment each participant receives.

The main goal of the study is to determine how long it takes before patients require their first additional pain medication after surgery. Secondary outcomes include pain scores, total pain medication use, duration of nerve block, rebound pain, side effects, and patient satisfaction.

The findings of this study may help improve postoperative pain management strategies for patients undergoing shoulder arthroscopy.

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Key information

Conditions

Postoperative Pain Neurologic Manifestations Pain Pain, Postoperative Pathologic Processes Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Postoperative Complications Signs and Symptoms

Age range

18 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

Age between 18 and 65 years
American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I-III
Scheduled for elective arthroscopic shoulder surgery
Body mass index (BMI) between 18.5 and 35 kg/m²
Ability to understand the study protocol and provide written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

Refusal to participate or inability to provide informed consent Contraindications to peripheral nerve block (e.g., coagulopathy, infection at the injection site) Known allergy or hypersensitivity to study medications (dexamethasone, dexmedetomidine, or local anesthetics) Pregnancy or breastfeeding Chronic opioid use or opioid dependence Pre-existing neurological deficit involving the operative upper extremity Severe hepatic or renal dysfunction Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus Body mass index (BMI) >35 kg/m² Infection at the planned block site Participation in another interventional clinical trial within the last 30 days

Treatment and study plan

Dexamethasone

Drug

Dexamethasone will be administered intravenously at a dose of 0.15 mg/kg before surgery.

Dexmedetomidine

Drug

Dexmedetomidine will be administered intravenously at a dose of 0,5 mcg/kg as a 30-minute infusion.

Sodium chloride 0.9%

Drug

Normal saline (0.9% sodium chloride) will be administered intravenously as a placebo in a volume matched to the dexamethasone dose.

Primary outcomes

Time to first rescue analgesic request

Time frame: From completion of superior trunk block to first rescue analgesic request, up to 72 hours postoperatively

Time from completion of the superior trunk block to the first administration of rescue analgesia, defined as analgesic requirement for Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) >3 or upon patient request.

Secondary outcomes

Rebound pain incidence

Time frame: Through 72 hours postoperatively

Incidence of rebound pain, defined as severe pain with an NRS score of 7 or higher after block resolution.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Recep Karakaşoğlu

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effect of Intravenous Dexamethasone Added to Intravenous Dexmedetomidine on Postoperative Analgesia After Superior Trunk Block for Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery: A Prospective, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Triple-Blind Trial

Acronym: STB-DEXA

Important dates

Study start: 2026
Primary completion: 2026
Study completion: 2026
First posted: Apr 13, 2026
Registry last updated: Apr 13, 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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