THE EFFECT OF INTRAVENOUS DEXAMETHASONE ON POSTOPERATIVE ANALGESIA DURATION IN UPPER LIMB SURGERY WITH SUPRACLAVICULAR BRACHIAL PLEXUS BLOCK

Nguyễn Anh Tùng 1 , , Bùi Thị Thuận 1
1 Thong Nhat Hospital image/svg+xml
* Corresponding author:

Article Information

Metrics
Downloads: 17 Views: 39
DOI
10.63947/bvtn.v2i9.15
Crossmark
Published
2026-10-01
Issue Vol. 2 No. 9 (2026): A Major Step Forward in Specialized Care: A Milestone Marked by the First Liver Transplant at Thong Nhat Hospital
Section
Original Research

Download Article

PDF (Vietnamese)

How to Cite

1.
Nguyễn AT, Bùi TT. THE EFFECT OF INTRAVENOUS DEXAMETHASONE ON POSTOPERATIVE ANALGESIA DURATION IN UPPER LIMB SURGERY WITH SUPRACLAVICULAR BRACHIAL PLEXUS BLOCK. JHA [Internet]. Vietnam; 2026 Oct. 1 [cited 2026 Oct. 16];2(9):114–120. https://tcsuckhoelaohoa.vn/bvtn/article/view/216 doi: 10.63947/bvtn.v2i9.15
Loading citation...
Crossref
Scopus
Google Scholar
Europe PMC

Abstract

Introduction: Supraclavicular brachial plexus block is commonly used for upper limb surgery but provides limited analgesia duration (<12 hours). This study aimed to evaluate the effect of intravenous dexamethasone on prolonging postoperative analgesia. Methods: A prospective descriptive study was conducted on 40 patients undergoing upper limb surgery at Thong Nhat Hospital (02–09/2025). Patients received a supraclavicular brachial plexus block with 20 ml of 0.5% ropivacaine under ultrasound guidance combined with intravenous dexamethasone 8 mg. Outcomes included duration of anesthesia and analgesia, block quality, VAS scores, opioid consumption, and adverse events. Results: The mean duration of anesthesia and analgesia was 1018.1±216.8 minutes. Good block quality was achieved in 92.5% of patients. VAS scores were low during the first 6 hours, increased at 24 hours, and stabilized by 48 hours. Mean opioid consumption was 115±24.7 mg. No complications related to the block or dexamethasone were observed. Conclusion: Intravenous dexamethasone combined with ropivacaine significantly prolongs postoperative analgesia, reduces opioid requirements, and is safe for clinical practice.

Keywords

intravenous dexamethasone brachial plexus block postoperative analgesia

References

  1. Nguyễn VT. Hiệu quả gây tê khi thêm dexamethasone vào levobupivacain trong gây tê đám rối cánh tay đường trên đòn cho phẫu thuật chi trên. Tạp chí Y học Việt Nam. 2023:280-283. DOI: https://doi.org/10.51298/vmj.v523i2.4574
  2. Desai N, Pararajasingham S, Onwochei D, Albrecht E. Comparison of intravenous versus perineural dexamethasone as a local anaesthetic adjunct for peripheral nerve blocks in the lower limb: A meta-analysis and systematic review. Eur J Anaesthesiol EJA. 2024;41(10). https://journals.lww.com/ejanaesthesiology/fulltext/2024/10000/comparison_of_intravenous_versus_perineural.5.aspx DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/EJA.0000000000002038
  3. Zufferey PJ, Chaux R, Lachaud PA, Capdevila X, Lanoiselée J, Ollier E. Dose–response relationships of intravenous and perineural dexamethasone as adjuvants to peripheral nerve blocks: a systematic review and model-based network meta-analysis. Br J Anaesth. 2024;132(5):1122-1132. doi:10.1016/j.bja.2023.12.021 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bja.2023.12.021
  4. Song L, Tan S, Chen Q, Li H. Effect of Fentanyl as an Adjuvant to Brachial Plexus Block for Upper Extremity Surgeries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of RCTs. Pain Res Manag. 2022;2022(1):8704569. doi:10.1155/2022/8704569 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/8704569
  5. Tan ESJ, Tan YR, Liu CWY. Efficacy of perineural versus intravenous dexamethasone in prolonging the duration of analgesia when administered with peripheral nerve blocks: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Korean J Anesth. 2021;75(3):255-265. doi:10.4097/kja.21390 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4097/kja.21390
  6. Phạm VQ. Nghiên cứu gây tê đám rối thần kinh cánh tay đường gian cơ bậc thang bằng lidocain phối hợp với dexamethason trong phẫu thuật chi trên. Tạp chí Y học thực hành. 2014:6-9.
  7. Maagaard M, Plambech MZ, Funder KS, et al. The effect of oral dexamethasone on duration of analgesia after upper limb surgery under infraclavicular brachial plexus block: a randomised controlled trial. Anaesthesia. 2023;78(12):1465-1471. doi:10.1111/anae.16149 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/anae.16149
  8. Eric Albrecht, et al. Intravenous versus perineural dexamethasone to prolong analgesia after interscalene brachial plexus block: a systematic review with meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis. British Journal of Anaesthesia, 133 (1): 135e145 (2024). doi: 10.1016/j.bja.2024.03.042 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bja.2024.03.042
  9. Ann-Kristin Schubert, et al. The analgetic effect of adjuvants in local infiltration analgesia - a systematic review with network meta-analysis of randomized trials. Journal of Clinical Anesthesia, 97 (2024) 111531. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclinane.2024.111531

License

© 2026 The Author(s). Published by Journal of Health and Aging.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.