Comparison between intravenous and perineural dexamethasone in prolonging the analgesic effect of supraclavicular plexus nerve block.

Abstract

Poorly controlled acute pain after surgery is associated with a variety of unwanted postoperative consequences, including patient suffering, distress, myocardial ischemia, prolonged hospital stays and an increased likelihood of chronic pain. Systemic analgesics (opioids and non-opioids) have long been used for postoperative pain,then neuroaxial or peripheral nerve blocks were employed. Local anesthetics alone were used, then various adjuvants were added to achieve quick, dense and prolonged block.