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Dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to levobupivacaine and lidocaine in ultrasound-guided superficial cervical block for carotid endarterectomy: a prospective, randomised, double- blinded study

Duration of sensory block and analgesia when using dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to levobupivacaine and lidocaine in ultrasound-guided superficial cervical block for carotid endarterectomy: a prospective, randomised, double-blinded study

Status
Recruiting
Phases
Phase 3
Study type
Interventional
Source
ANZCTR
Registry ID
ACTRN12622000942752
Enrollment
55
Registered
2022-07-04
Start date
2021-09-28
Completion date
Unknown
Last updated
2022-08-09

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

None listed

Brief summary

Study hypothesis: Dexmedetomidine increases the duration of sensory block and analgesia when using it as an adjuvant to levobupivacaine and lidocaine in ultrasound-guided superficial cervical block for carotid endarterectomy surgery. Numerous additives were tried in combination with local anaesthetics to increase the quality of anaesthesia and prolong postoperative analgesia. Research on use of a-2 receptor agonist dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant in regional anaesthesia has positive effect on duration of block, but there are no studies on usage in superficial cervical block (SCB) in carotid endarterectomy (CEA), where management of mean arterial pressure is essential. We therefore designed a prospective, randomised, double-blinded study to investigate the effect of adding dexmedetomidine to levobupivacaine and lidocaine on the quality of SCB in CEA surgery.,All patients had invasive blood pressure monitoring and parameters were noted every 5 minutes. Patients were randomly assigned into two groups: both groups received 2 mg/kg 0.5% levobupivacaine with 200 mg of 2% lidocaine supplemented with saline to a volume of 50 mL. Subject group S additionally received 50 micrograms of dexmedetomidine in mixture. The onset and duration of sensory block and analgesia, haemodynamic parameters and side effects: bradycardia, hypotension, respiratory depression, nausea, vomiting, pruritus and shivering were recorded.

Interventions

Superficial cervical block (SCB) was performed with 2 mg/kg 0.5% levobupivacaine, 200 mg of 2% lidocaine supplemented with saline to a volume of 50 mL. Subject group S additionally received 50 micrograms of dexmedetomidine in mixture. The anaesthetist who performes the procedure positioned the patient in supine position, with the head resting on pillow, looking to the opposite side. With the patient in the proper position, the skin was disinfected and the transducer is placed at the midpoint of

Superficial cervical block (SCB) was performed with 2 mg/kg 0.5% levobupivacaine, 200 mg of 2% lidocaine supplemented with saline to a volume of 50 mL. Subject group S additionally received 50 micrograms of dexmedetomidine in mixture. The anaesthetist who performes the procedure positioned the patient in supine position, with the head resting on pillow, looking to the opposite side. With the patient in the proper position, the skin was disinfected and the transducer is placed at the midpoint of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. The cervical plexus is identified, the needle is passed with in-plane approach behind the sternocleidomastoid muscle, the tip is placed adjacent to the plexus, and 15mL of local anesthetic mixture is administered. The rest of the local anesthetic mixture (35 mL) was injected subcutaneous cephalad and caudad along the length of the sternocleidomastoid muscle posterior border, and along the lower edge of the body of the mandible. The procedure was performed approximately 30 min prior to the initial surgical incision.

Sponsors

University hospital centre Sestre Milosrdnice
Lead SponsorHospital

Study design

Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Primary purpose
Treatment

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to 80 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

Patients with a critical stenosis (>70%) of the carotid artery. ASA I, II and III.

Exclusion criteria

Patients older than 80 years, ASA > IV, severe liver dysfunction, body mass index >40, allergies to local anesthetics.

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ANZCTR · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026