A Comparative Study between Dexamethasone versus Paracetamol Added to Xylocaine in Local Intravenous Anesthesia in Upper Limb Minor Surgeries

Background Intravenous regional anesthesia (IVRA) is a technically simple, reliable and costeffective method of regional anesthesia for short operative procedures of the extremities. It is easy to be administered, of lower cost compared with general anesthesia, no need for deep sedation and can be used for emergency operations on extremities for patients with full stomach. Objective Comparison between the anesthetic and analgesic parameters in local intravenous anesthesia by adding Paracetamol and Dexamethasone to xylocaine. Patients and methods This study was carried out in Ain Shams University hospitals for six months (from August 2018 to February 2019) on 45 patients of both sexes aged 20-50 years belonging to ASA I & II undergoing forearm and hand surgeries using IVRA. Results There was no significant difference between group (P), Group (C) as regard sensory, motor recovery times, both had a shorter sensory and motor block time need to an opioid dose as an analgesic dose. Group (D) had the fastest sensory and motor block time and more prolonged recovery time than group (P) and group (C) need less opioid dose as analgesia for controlling pain. As regard postoperative analgesic requirements. Group (D) and group (P) needed less analgesic doses than group (C) but there was no significant difference between group (P) and group (C). Conclusion Addition of 8 mg Dexamethasone as adjuvant to xylocaine for intravenous regional anesthesia led to: Reduction the dose of xylocaine used for IVRA, Shortening the sensory and motor block onset times, Prolong the sensory and motor block recovery times, and Reduction the postoperative analgesic requirement with satisfaction for patient and surgeon.