Showing 1 results for Supraclavicular Block.
Artadokht Khoshooei, Seyedeh Fatemeh Hosseini Nejad , Armin Kia , Nadia Zergani ,
Volume 83, Issue 4 (7-2025)
Abstract
Background: Nowadays, there is an increased emphasis on using safer and more modern anesthetic drugs. The addition of adjuvants not only enhances the anesthetic effect of the medication but also reduces the required dosage, thereby improving the safety margin. Effective postoperative pain control is a critical component in enhancing recovery and improving outcomes for orthopedic patients. Proper pain management not only facilitates early mobilization but also reduces complications and increases patient satisfaction. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of dexmedetomidine and ketamine as adjuvant drugs in supraclavicular nerve block for reducing postoperative pain following forearm orthopedic surgery.
Methods: This randomized, triple-blind clinical trial was meticulously conducted between April 2024 and March 2025 at Razi Hospital, a major teaching facility affiliated with Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences in Ahvaz, Iran. A total of 102 eligible patients were carefully enrolled and randomly assigned to three distinct groups: dexmedetomidine, ketamine, and control. Each patient received a standardized supraclavicular block using 2% lidocaine combined with the designated adjuvant drug to enhance analgesic efficacy. Vital signs, including heart rate, oxygen saturation, and Mean arterial pressure (MAP), were closely monitored every 15 minutes during surgery. Postoperative pain intensity was assessed using the Visual analog scale (VAS) at 1, 2, 6, 12, and 24 hours after surgery.
Results: Patients in the dexmedetomidine group showed significantly lower heart rate, MAP, and pain intensity compared to both ketamine and control groups at all measured time points (P<0.001). Ketamine also demonstrated better pain control and hemodynamic stability than the control group, although it was less effective than dexmedetomidine. Most differences in mean values between groups were statistically significant, confirming the superior performance of dexmedetomidine.
Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine, when used as an adjuvant in supraclavicular block for forearm orthopedic surgery, resulted in superior pain relief and greater hemodynamic stability compared to ketamine and standard care. These findings support its clinical use as an effective adjunct in regional anesthesia protocols.
