Low Dose Dexamethasone for Distal Radius Fractures
Status:
Enrolling by invitation
Trial end date:
2023-03-31
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
The addition of the steroid dexamethasone to a single injection of local anesthetic has been
shown to significantly prolong the duration of peripheral nerve blockade compared to local
anesthetic alone. This allows for improved post-operative pain scores and reduces opioid use
in the early post-operative period. However, the use of a steroid adjuvant in regional nerve
blocks is generally not considered standard of care, and there is considerable variation
among anesthesiologists regarding preferred formulations and the role of adjuvants in
regional anesthesia. A recent study from our institution demonstrated the effectiveness of
dexamethasone directly mixed with local anesthetic at multiple doses compared to placebo for
upper extremity surgery. With this prospective randomized controlled blinded trial, we hope
to definitively establish which method of adjuvant dexamethasone administration is superior
in extending the effects of a brachial plexus nerve block.