Efficacy and safety of dexmedetomidine in peripheral nerve blocks: A meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis.

BACKGROUNDThe duration of analgesia provided by nerve blocks is limited if local anaesthetics are administered alone. Therefore, several additives, including dexmedetomidine (DEX), have been investigated in order to prolong postoperative analgesia following single-shot regional anaesthesia.OBJECTIVE