Intravenous Dexamethasone as an Adjuvant to Dexmedetomidine After Superior Trunk Block for Arthro… (NCT07525934) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
Intravenous Dexamethasone as an Adjuvant to Dexmedetomidine After Superior Trunk Block for Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery
70 participantsStarted 2026-04-25
Plain-language summary
This study aims to evaluate whether adding intravenous dexamethasone to standard intravenous dexmedetomidine improves pain control after shoulder arthroscopy performed under a superior trunk block. Shoulder arthroscopy is a common surgical procedure that can cause moderate to severe postoperative pain.
In this study, adult patients undergoing elective arthroscopic shoulder surgery will receive a nerve block called a superior trunk block to control pain during and after surgery. All participants will also receive intravenous dexmedetomidine, a medication commonly used to enhance analgesia.
Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group will receive intravenous dexamethasone, while the other group will receive a placebo (saline solution). Neither the patients nor the healthcare providers nor the outcome assessors will know which treatment each participant receives.
The main goal of the study is to determine how long it takes before patients require their first additional pain medication after surgery. Secondary outcomes include pain scores, total pain medication use, duration of nerve block, rebound pain, side effects, and patient satisfaction.
The findings of this study may help improve postoperative pain management strategies for patients undergoing shoulder arthroscopy.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 65 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Age between 18 and 65 years
* American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I-III
* Scheduled for elective arthroscopic shoulder surgery
* Body mass index (BMI) between 18.5 and 35 kg/m²
* Ability to understand the study protocol and provide written informed consent
Exclusion Criteria:
* Refusal to participate or inability to provide informed consent Contraindications to peripheral nerve block (e.g., coagulopathy, infection at the injection site) Known allergy or hypersensitivity to study medications (dexamethasone, dexmedetomidine, or local anesthetics) Pregnancy or breastfeeding Chronic opioid use or opioid dependence Pre-existing neurological deficit involving the operative upper extremity Severe hepatic or renal dysfunction Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus Body mass index (BMI) \>35 kg/m² Infection at the planned block site Participation in another interventional clinical trial within the last 30 days
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Time to first rescue analgesic request
Timeframe: From completion of superior trunk block to first rescue analgesic request, up to 72 hours postoperatively