Efficacy of tramadol versus dexamethasone in ultrasound guided supraclavicular block for forearm fractures. Does it make a difference?

Figures & data

Figure 1. Study flow chart.

Table 1. Demographic data, type, and duration of surgery.

Variable		Tramadol group (n = 30)	Dexamethasone group (n = 30)		p-value
Age (y)	33.17 ± 11.40			34.67 ± 12.28	0.627
Height (cm)	169.73 ± 4.7			170.33 ± 4	0.600
Weight (kg)	79.33 ± 9.6			83.13 ± 9.8	0.135
Sex M/F	19/11			21/9	0.584
ASA class I/II	24/6			23/7	0.754
Duration of surgery (min)	79.80 ± 4.37			78.47 ± 5.11	0.091
Type of surgery: Open reduction and internal fixation with plates and screws/with rods	17/13			15/15	0.605

Table 2. Comparison of sensory and motor blockade (minutes), time of first rescue of analgesia (hours), total consumption, and numbers of patients’ requests for rescue analgesia between both studied groups.

Variable	Tramadol group (n = 30)	Dexamethasone group (n = 30)	P value
The onset of Sensory Blockade (min)	6.6 ± 1.4	5.4 ± 1.9	0.006*
The onset of Motor Blockade (min)	15.9 ± 2.9	12.5 ± 3.2	0.000*
Motor block duration (hr.)	11.7 ± 1.19	14.6 ± 0.79	0.000*
Sensory block duration (hr.)	13.8 ± 0.76	16.3 ± 0.75	0.000*
Time of the first rescue of analgesia (hour)	13.4 ± 2.6	15.3 ± 2.8	0.009*
Total consumption of ketorolac (mg)	44 ± 15.2	36 ± 12.2	0.029*
No. of patients’ requests for rescue analgesia Once Twice	17 13	25 5	0.024*

Figure 2. The mean post-operative VAS score among both studied groups.

Figure 3. Comparison of postoperative complications between both studied groups.

Table 3. Comparison of the LIKERT scale between both studied groups.

LIKERT scale:
Very Dissatisfied	0	0
Dissatisfied	4	1	0.045*
Neutral	14	8
Satisfied	9	10
Very Satisfied	3	11