AzTrials
AzTrials

Hand Injuries and DisordersNCT07474909

Perineural vs Intravenous Dexamethasone as an Adjuvant to Brachial Plexus Block in Pediatric Hand Surgery

A study testing iv dexamethasone, pn dexamethasone and 0.9%NaCl in people with Hand Injuries and Disorders and Wrist Sprain, run by Poznan University of Medical Sciences at 1 site in Poland.

Recruiting

Looking for participants now. Contact the study team or a site below to ask about taking part.

Sites and contacts
Official record
Search all trials

Trial summary

This clinical trial will evaluate the neurological safety and analgesic effectiveness of dexamethasone administered perineurally or intravenously as an adjuvant to brachial plexus block in children undergoing hand or forearm surgery. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 3 months to 16 years
Conditions the study is for
Hand Injuries and Disorders, Wrist Sprain
What is being tested?
iv dexamethasone, pn dexamethasone and 0.9%NaCl
Type of treatment
Injection or infusion
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
150 participants
Where
1 sitePoland
Study dates
10 Dec 2025to 31 Jan 2027
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 3 months to 16 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Child

Who may be able to join

  • Age 3 months to 16 years
  • Scheduled elective hand or forearm surgery under general anesthesia with a brachial plexus block
  • ASA physical status I-III
  • Planned use of ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia
  • Written informed consent from parent(s) or legal guardian and age-appropriate assent from the child

Who cannot join

  • Pre-existing neurological disease or peripheral neuropathy
  • Preoperative sensory deficit in the operative limb
  • Infection at or near the needle insertion site
  • Coagulopathy or therapeutic anticoagulation
  • Systemic infection or sepsis
  • Chronic steroid therapy within 30 days before surgery
Show all 12Show fewer
  • Known allergy to ropivacaine or dexamethasone
  • Diabetes mellitus
  • BMI > 99th percentile for age and sex.
  • Pregnancy or breastfeeding
  • Participation in another interventional clinical trial within 30 days
  • Refusal of consent

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Malgorzata Reysenr, MD PhD contact

48618738313

mreysner@ump.edu.pl

Malgorzata Reysner, MD PhD contact

48618738313

mreysner@ump.edu.pl

Poland1 site, 1 recruiting
  • Poznan University of Medical Sciences

    Poznan, 62-701

    Malgorzata Reysner, M.D. Ph.D., +48 61 873 83 03, mreysner@ump.edu.pl

    Recruiting

Other trials in Poland

About this study

Official title: Comparison of Perineural Versus Intravenous Dexamethasone as an Adjuvant to Brachial Plexus Block in Pediatric Hand and Forearm Surgery: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial With Neurological Safety Evaluation and Neurofilament Light Chain Biomarker Assessment

This clinical trial will evaluate the neurological safety and analgesic effectiveness of dexamethasone administered perineurally or intravenously as an adjuvant to brachial plexus block in children undergoing hand or forearm surgery. Dexamethasone is commonly used to prolong the duration of regional anesthesia, but there is limited evidence on long-term neurological safety, particularly in pediatric patients.

All participants will receive a single-shot brachial plexus block using ropivacaine under ultrasound guidance. Patients will be randomized into one of three treatment groups:

Read more

perineural dexamethasone, intravenous dexamethasone, or placebo. The primary objective is to determine whether perineural dexamethasone causes any clinically significant nerve injury compared with intravenous administration or placebo. Neurological function will be assessed clinically and via serum neurofilament light chain (NfL) levels over a 12-month follow-up period.

This study may provide evidence regarding the long-term safety profile of perineural dexamethasone in children and help establish evidence-based dosing and administration guidelines.

Read the detailed description

Regional anesthesia using brachial plexus block is routinely used for pediatric upper limb surgery, but the long-term neurological safety of perineural dexamethasone remains uncertain. Previous adult studies and early pilot investigations suggest that dexamethasone increases the duration of analgesia and may reduce opioid requirements, but pediatric data remain scarce.

This randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial will compare three approaches:

perineural dexamethasone, intravenous dexamethasone, placebo. Neurological integrity will be evaluated using structured neurological examinations and serial measurement of serum neurofilament light chain (NfL), a biomarker of peripheral nerve damage. Functional recovery, pain scores, opioid use, and adverse events will also be assessed. Each patient will be followed for 12 months.

The results may guide pediatric regional anesthesia practice and help determine whether perineural dexamethasone is safe with regard to neurologic sequelae.

Being tested
iv dexamethasone, pn dexamethasone, 0.9%NaCl
Medical subject headings
Hand Injuries, Disease

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • iv dexamethasoneDrug

    Participants in this arm will receive intravenous dexamethasone at a dose of 0.1 mg/kg (maximum 8 mg) administered immediately before the brachial plexus block. A perineural placebo (0.9% normal saline) will be added to the local anesthetic syringe for the nerve block in order to maintain blinding.

  • pn dexamethasoneDrug

    Participants in this arm will receive dexamethasone administered perineurally at a dose of 0.1 mg/kg (maximum 4 mg) mixed with the local anesthetic solution for the brachial plexus block. An intravenous placebo (0.9% normal saline) will be administered immediately before the block to maintain blinding.

  • 0.9%NaClDrug

    Participants in this arm will receive placebo both intravenously and perineurally. Normal saline will be added to the local anesthetic solution for the brachial plexus block and administered intravenously in volumes matching the active treatment groups in order to maintain blinding.

Study groups in NCT07474909
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Intravenous Dexamethasone + Perineural PlaceboActive comparatorBrachial plexus block with ropivacaine + dexamethasone IV 0.1 mg/kg (max 8 mg) and perineural 0.9% NaCl.
Receives: Drug: iv dexamethasone
Perineural Dexamethasone + Intravenous PlaceboActive comparatorBrachial plexus block with ropivacaine + dexamethasone perineurally 0.1 mg/kg (max 4 mg) and IV 0.9% NaCl.
Receives: Drug: pn dexamethasone
Placebo (IV + Perineural)Active comparatorBrachial plexus block with ropivacaine + 0.9% NaCl both IV and perineurally.
Receives: Drug: 0.9%NaCl

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Incidence of Persistent Neurological Deficit

    Incidence of sensory or motor neurological deficit attributed to the block that persists ≥3 months postoperatively.

    Measured: up to 12 months

Secondary outcomes (14)
  1. Time to First rescue analgesia

    Time (in hours) from completion of the brachial plexus block to the first self-reported painful sensation requiring administration of analgesic medication.

    Measured: Within 0-48 hours after surgery.

  2. Total Opioid Consumption

    Total cumulative opioid dose administered postoperatively, converted to oral morphine milligram equivalents (MME) and normalized to body weight (mg/kg).

    Measured: 0-48 hours after surgery.

  3. Postoperative pain intensity assessed with the Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability (FLACC) scale

    Postoperative pain intensity will be assessed in younger children using the Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability (FLACC) scale.

    The FLACC scale ranges from 0 to 10 points, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the most severe pain.

    Higher scores indicate worse pain. Mean FLACC scores will be compared between treatment groups.

    Measured: Post-anesthesia care unit (PACU), 2 hours after surgery.

  4. Postoperative pain intensity assessed with the Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability (FLACC) scale

    Postoperative pain intensity will be assessed in younger children using the Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability (FLACC) scale.

    The FLACC scale ranges from 0 to 10 points, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the most severe pain.

    Higher scores indicate worse pain. Mean FLACC scores will be compared between treatment groups.

    Measured: Post-anesthesia care unit (PACU), 6 hours after surgery.

  5. Postoperative pain intensity assessed with the Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability (FLACC) scale

    Postoperative pain intensity will be assessed in younger children using the Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability (FLACC) scale.

    The FLACC scale ranges from 0 to 10 points, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the most severe pain.

    Higher scores indicate worse pain. Mean FLACC scores will be compared between treatment groups.

    Measured: Post-anesthesia care unit (PACU), 12 hours after surgery.

  6. Postoperative pain intensity assessed with the Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability (FLACC) scale

    Postoperative pain intensity will be assessed in younger children using the Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability (FLACC) scale.

    The FLACC scale ranges from 0 to 10 points, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the most severe pain.

    Higher scores indicate worse pain. Mean FLACC scores will be compared between treatment groups.

    Measured: Post-anesthesia care unit (PACU), 24 hours after surgery.

  7. Postoperative pain intensity assessed with the Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability (FLACC) scale

    Postoperative pain intensity will be assessed in younger children using the Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability (FLACC) scale.

    The FLACC scale ranges from 0 to 10 points, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the most severe pain.

    Higher scores indicate worse pain. Mean FLACC scores will be compared between treatment groups.

    Measured: Post-anesthesia care unit (PACU), 48 hours after surgery.

  8. Postoperative pain intensity assessed with the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS)

    Postoperative pain intensity will be assessed in adolescents using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS).

    The NRS ranges from 0 to 10 points, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the worst imaginable pain.

    Higher scores indicate worse pain. Mean NRS scores will be compared between treatment groups.

    Measured: Post-anesthesia care unit (PACU), 2 hours after surgery.

  9. Postoperative pain intensity assessed with the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS)

    Postoperative pain intensity will be assessed in adolescents using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS).

    The NRS ranges from 0 to 10 points, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the worst imaginable pain.

    Higher scores indicate worse pain. Mean NRS scores will be compared between treatment groups.

    Measured: Post-anesthesia care unit (PACU), 6 hours after surgery.

  10. Postoperative pain intensity assessed with the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS)

    Postoperative pain intensity will be assessed in adolescents using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS).

    The NRS ranges from 0 to 10 points, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the worst imaginable pain.

    Higher scores indicate worse pain. Mean NRS scores will be compared between treatment groups.

    Measured: Post-anesthesia care unit (PACU), 12 hours after surgery.

  11. Postoperative pain intensity assessed with the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS)

    Postoperative pain intensity will be assessed in adolescents using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS).

    The NRS ranges from 0 to 10 points, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the worst imaginable pain.

    Higher scores indicate worse pain. Mean NRS scores will be compared between treatment groups.

    Measured: Post-anesthesia care unit (PACU), 24 hours after surgery.

  12. Postoperative pain intensity assessed with the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS)

    Postoperative pain intensity will be assessed in adolescents using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS).

    The NRS ranges from 0 to 10 points, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the worst imaginable pain.

    Higher scores indicate worse pain. Mean NRS scores will be compared between treatment groups.

    Measured: Post-anesthesia care unit (PACU), 48 hours after surgery.

  13. Adverse Events

    Incidence of adverse events potentially related to the nerve block, including postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), hematoma, infection, or local anesthetic systemic toxicity (LAST).

    Measured: Up to 30 days after surgery.

  14. Incidence of perioperative hyperglycemia

    Incidence of perioperative hyperglycemia, defined as blood glucose concentration >180 mg/dL (10 mmol/L), measured to evaluate potential systemic metabolic effects of dexamethasone or placebo administration. The proportion of patients who meet the hyperglycemia threshold will be compared between groups.

    Measured: Up to 24 hours after surgery.

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted16 Mar 2026
  2. Study start10 Dec 2025
  3. Primary completion1 Jan 2027 (estimated)
  4. Study completion31 Jan 2027 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Quadruple blind
Who is masked
Participant, Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
150 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07474909
Sponsor's protocol ID
12_2025
Status last verified
Dec 2025
First submitted
4 Dec 2025
Last updated
22 May 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Yes: De-identified individual participant data (IPD) that support the findings of this study will be made available to other researchers. Shared data will include baseline characteristics, anesthetic and surgical variables, primary and secondary outcome measures, adverse events, and follow-up assessments. No information that could identify participants will be included.

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing iv dexamethasone, pn dexamethasone and 0.9%NaCl in people with Hand Injuries and Disorders and Wrist Sprain, run by Poznan University of Medical Sciences at 1 site in Poland.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 12 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 22 May 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Poland. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Malgorzata Reysenr, MD PhD (48618738313, mreysner@ump.edu.pl), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Incidence of Persistent Neurological Deficit (time frame: up to 12 months). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 22 May 2026.

Free account

Log in to keep searching

You’ve used your 3 free searches. AzTrials is free: log in or create a free account to keep searching clinical trials and save the ones you want to follow.

Create a free accountLog in