Low dose intravenous dexamethasone (4 mg and 10 mg) significantly prolongs the analgesic duration of single-shot interscalene block after arthroscopic shoulder surgery: a prospective randomized placebo-controlled study

Background Although intravenous dexamethasone prolongs the analgesic duration of interscalene brachial plexus block, it is uncertain whether this effect can be observed using lower doses of dexamethasone. This study evaluated the impact of intravenous dexamethasone (4 mg and 10 mg) on the analgesic duration of single-shot interscalene block after arthroscopic shoulder surgery. We hypothesized that both doses would prolong the analgesic duration compared with placebo.