Does adding intravenous dexamethasone to paravertebral block augment postoperative analgesia in breast cancer patients?

ISRCTN ISRCTN15920148
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN15920148
Secondary identifying numbers 201617016.2p
Submission date
23/06/2017
Registration date
29/06/2017
Last edited
04/01/2019
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Surgery
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
Breast cancer normally requires surgery as a treatment, either to remove a lump or to remove the entire breast tissue. An important aspect of surgery is the anesthetic in order to not feel pain during the operation. There are different types of anesthetics that have different benefits. A paravertebral block (PVB) is a method that provides an analgesic effect (pain control) with less sedation (a medication to put people to sleep). Adding an intravenous dexamethasone (a steroid medication that is added to the veins through a needle) could be beneficial to patients to help control inflammatory conditions when given in addition to a PVB. The aim of this study is to evaluate if intravenous dexamethasone augments the analgesic effect of paravertebral block in breast cancer surgery.

Who can participate?
Adults aged 18-80 who are undergoing surgery for breast cancer

What does the study involve?
Participants are randomly allocated to one of two groups. Participants receive the standard operating care prior to surgery. Those in the first group receive a paravertebral nerve block as well as intravenous dexamethasone added to it. Those in the second group receive the PVB only. All participants receive standard care. Participants are observed every two hours for 72 hours after surgery for pain, nausea, vomiting, side effects, and to see if any other pain medication is taken.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Participants may benefit from a longer lasting analgesic effect. There are no risks with participating.

Where is the study run from?
National Cancer Institute, Cairo University (Egypt)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
March 2017 to September 2017

Who is funding the study?
National Cancer Institute, Cairo University (Egypt)

Who is the main contact?
Dr Ahmed Bakeer
ahmed_bakir77@yahoo.com

Contact information

Dr Ahmed Bakeer
Scientific

National Cancer Institute, Cairo University
Al Kasr Al Aini
Fom Al Khalig WA Deir an Nahas
Misr Al Qadimah
Cairo Governorate
Cairo
-
Egypt

Phone +20 111 566 1922
Email ahmed_bakir77@yahoo.com

Study information

Study designObservational prospective randomised placebo controlled study
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)Hospital
Study typeTreatment
Participant information sheet No participant information sheet available
Scientific titleIntravenous dexamethasone augments the analgesic effect of paravertebral block for cancer breast surgery: a prospective randomised placebo-controlled study
Study objectivesThe aim of this study is to evaluate if intravenous dexamethasone augments the analgesic effect of paravertebral block in breast cancer surgery.
Ethics approval(s)Ethical Committee of National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, 18/6/2017, ref: 201617016
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedFemale patients undergoing surgery for breast cancer
InterventionParticipants are randomly allocated to one of two groups. Participants receive the standard operating care prior to surgery.

Intervention group: Participants in this group receive a paravertebral nerve block (PVB) as well as an intravenous dexamethasone added to it. Surgery is then continued as to the standard level of care.

Control group: Participants receive the PVB and the standard care.

Participants are observed every two hours for 72 hours post-operatively for pain, nausea, vomiting, if any other analgesic taken and when sensation returns. Any side effects, nausea or vomiting are recorded for 72 hours.
Intervention typeDrug
Pharmaceutical study type(s)
PhaseNot Applicable
Drug / device / biological / vaccine name(s)paravertebral nerve block, intravenous dexamethasone
Primary outcome measure1. Pain is measured using the visual analogue score (VAS) at every two hours during the 72 hours post operation
2. Time of return sensation is measures using patient interviews at every two hours during the 72 hours post operation
3. Analgesic taken is measured using patient records at every two hours during the 72 hours post operation
Secondary outcome measures1. Nausea is measured using patient records at every two hours during the 72 hours post operation
2. Vomiting is measured using patient records at every two hours during the 72 hours post operation
3. Side effects and complications measured using patient records at every two hours during the 72 hours post operation
Overall study start date01/02/2017
Completion date01/09/2017

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit18 Years
Upper age limit80 Years
SexFemale
Target number of participants50 patients in 2 groups
Key inclusion criteria1. Patients for breast cancer surgery ASA1-3
2. Aged from 18-80
Key exclusion criteria1. Coagulopathy
2. Allergy to drugs in study
3. Refusal to participate
4. Severe renal, hepatic or lung disease
5. Chronic opioid use
Date of first enrolment01/03/2017
Date of final enrolment01/08/2017

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • Egypt

Study participating centre

National Cancer Institute, Cairo University
Al Kasr Al Aini
Fom Al Khalig WA Deir an Nahas
Misr Al Qadimah
Cairo Governorate
Cairo
-
Egypt

Sponsor information

National Cancer Institute, Cairo University
Hospital/treatment centre

Al Kasr Al Aini
Fom Al Khalig WA Deir an Nahas
Misr Al Qadimah
Cairo Governorate
Cairo
-
Egypt

Phone +20 111 566 1922
Email ahmed_bakir77@yahoo.com
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/03q21mh05

Funders

Funder type

University/education

National Cancer Institute, Cairo University

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date01/08/2018
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareYes
IPD sharing plan summaryAvailable on request
Publication and dissemination planPlanned publication in a high impact peer reviewed journal.
IPD sharing planThe datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are/will be available upon request from Dr Ahmed Baker at ahmed_bakir76@yahoo.com.

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Results article results 19/12/2018 Yes No

Editorial Notes

04/01/2019: Publication reference added.
12/07/2017: Internal review.