The Difference Between Using Local and General Dexamethasone in Arthroscopic Anterior Cruciate Ligament Repair

Benha University

Status: Completed

Conditions: ACL Injury

Treatments: Drug: Dexamethasone injection; Drug: Bupivacaine 0.5% Injectable Solution; Drug: Bupivacaine 0.375% Injectable Solution

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06537518

RC 43-11-2023

Details and patient eligibility

About

Arthroscopic knee injuries, such as the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, are common and often result in postoperative pain. Regional anesthetic techniques, such as femoral nerve block (FNB) and adductor canal block (ACB), can help alleviate pain and reduce opioid consumption. ACB, which blocks the saphenous nerve and obturator nerve branches, is preferred over FNB due to its potential to decrease mobility and increase falls risk. Dexamethasone, a potent glucocorticoid, is used as an adjuvant for ACB, but its perineural administration may carry neurotoxicity risks. Some pain physicians prefer intravenous administration to prolong the action of local anesthetics used in peripheral nerve blocks.

Enrollment: 123 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 60 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Patients diagnosed with ACL injury;
• Patients in class I, II according to American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification.

Exclusion criteria

• Patients free of all Inclusion Criteria.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

---

123 participants in 3 patient groups

IV anesthetic Group

Active Comparator group

Treatment:

Drug: Bupivacaine 0.375% Injectable Solution

Drug: Dexamethasone injection

Local anesthetic Group

Active Comparator group

Treatment:

Drug: Bupivacaine 0.5% Injectable Solution

Drug: Dexamethasone injection

Control Group

Active Comparator group

Treatment:

Drug: Bupivacaine 0.375% Injectable Solution