Abstract

Prolonging the duration of analgesia in single-shot nerve blocks (SNBs) continues to be a problem in regional anesthesia. Both IV and perineural dexamethasone have proven to be effective in prolonging the duration of analgesia in SNBs.

Objective: The purpose of this integrative review was to determine how IV and perineural dexamethasone effect duration of analgesia, pain scores, opioid consumption, and complications in patients undergoing SNB.

Methods: An integrative review that included 12 peer-reviewed randomized-controlled trials (RCTs) and one meta-analysis was performed.

Results: The results of the integrative review found that perineural dexamethasone prolonged the duration of analgesia, reduced pain scores, and reduced opioid consumption to a greater extent than IV dexamethasone. IV dexamethasone prolonged the duration of analgesia to a greater extent than local anesthetic with saline and local anesthetic alone. There were no major complications associated with the use of dexamethasone in SNBs.

Conclusions: Perineural dexamethasone is a more effective adjunct in prolonging the duration of analgesia in SNBs compared to IV dexamethasone. IV dexamethasone is an effective, alternative adjunct that can be used to prolong the duration of analgesia in SNBs.

Author Details

Kyle G. Hilsabeck, BSN, RN

Sigma Membership

Non-member

Type

Other Graduate Paper

Format Type

Text-based Document

Study Design/Type

Literature Review

Research Approach

Translational Research/Evidence-based Practice

Keywords:

Intravenous Dexamethasone, Perineural Dexamethasone, Single-Shot Nerve Block, Peripheral Nerve Block

Advisor

Pecka, Shannon

Degree

Doctoral-Other

Degree Grantor

Bryan College of Health Sciences

Degree Year

2018

Rights Holder

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All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.

Review Type

Faculty Approved: Degree-based Submission

Acquisition

Proxy-submission

Full Text of Presentation

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