RANDOMIZED EVALUATION OF THE INFLUENCE OF INTRAVENOUS USE OF DEXAMETHASON ON POSTOPERATIVE ANALGESIA IN PATIENTS AFTER ARTHROSCOPIC OPERATIONS ON THE KNEE JOINT UNDER THE CONDITIONS OF THE PERIPHERAL REGIONARY BLOCKADE
Aim: to evaluate the effects of intravenous dexamethasone on postoperative analgesia in patients after arthroscopic knee joint surgery in conditions of peripheral regional blockade. Material and methods: 60 patients were included in the study, divided into 2 groups. In the first group, patients underwent peripheral regional blockade of the femoral and sciatic nerves with a 0.5% solution of levobupivacaine. In the second, the traditional peripheral regional blockade was supplemented by intravenous administration of 8 mg (0.4% - 2 ml) of dexamethasone immediately after catarrhization of the peripheral vein. Results: The duration of the sensory blockade in the group using dexamethasone was 25% greater than in the first group. In the postoperative period, patients who were intraoperatively injected with dexamethasone required 33% less additional anesthesia. The duration of motor blockade in the group with dexamethasone was 26.5% higher than in the patients of the first group. Conclusion: intravenous dexamethasone injection with levobupivacaine peripheral regional anesthesia with arthroscopic knee joint surgery, increases the duration of the sensory block and the duration of postoperative analgesia. The use of dexamethasone led to a decrease in the need for additional anesthesia in the early postoperative period.