Dexmedetomidine as an Adjuvant to Bupivacaine in Scalp Block Versus Bupivacaine Alone for Postoperative Pain Management in Patients Undergoing Craniotomy

Ain Shams University

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Postoperative Pain; Scalp Block; Craniotomy; Bupivacaine; Dexmedetomidine; Adjuvant

Treatments: Other: Scalp block + Dexmedetomidine; Other: Scalp block

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06993922

FMASU MS 57/2025

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study aims to compare dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to bupivacaine in scalp block versus bupivacaine alone for postoperative pain management in patients undergoing craniotomy.

Full description

Scalp block is proposed as a multimodal approach to preventing postoperative pain and hemodynamic responses to previous noxious stimulation during the operation.

The use of adjuvants, such as dexmedetomidine, a highly selective alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist, has recently been studied for its analgesic effects. Dexmedetomidine acts additionally to local anesthetics, prolonging their duration of action.

Enrollment: 50 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 65 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Age from 18 to 65 years.
• Both sexes.
• American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I or II.
• Undergoing supratentorial elective planned craniotomies.

Exclusion criteria

• Patients refusal.
• History of known allergy to the used local anesthetic or dexmedetomidine.
• Bleeding disorders.
• Evidence of local infection at the site of injection.
• Emergency craniotomy.
• Psychotic disorder.
• Patients who will not be extubated in the operating room after surgery.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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50 participants in 2 patient groups

Group SB

Active Comparator group

Description:

Patients will receive a scalp block with bupivacaine alone.

Treatment:

Other: Scalp block

Group SD

Experimental group

Description:

Patients will receive a scalp block with dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to bupivacaine.

Treatment:

Other: Scalp block + Dexmedetomidine