Dexmedetomidine vs Ketamine as Adjuvants to Bupivacaine in Transversus Abdominus Plane Block in Inguinal Hernioplasty

NCT ID: NCT07194694

Last Updated: 2025-12-26

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

Get a concise snapshot of the trial, including recruitment status, study phase, enrollment targets, and key timeline milestones.

Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

PHASE3

Total Enrollment

60 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2025-10-22

Study Completion Date

2026-01-30

Brief Summary

Review the sponsor-provided synopsis that highlights what the study is about and why it is being conducted.

This clinical trial aims to compare the effect of adding dexmedetomidine versus ketamine to bupivacaine in transversus abdominis plane block in patients undergoing unilateral inguinal hernioplasty. The key questions it is expected to answer are:

To what extent do dexmedetomidine and ketamine adjuvants, when combined with bupivacaine, offer a longer analgesic period in a Transversus Abdominis Plane (TAP) block?

To investigate the pain at rest and coughing with particular time intervals (0, 2, 4, 6, and 12 hours) after the operation.

researchers will rely on three groups:

Group A (Dexmedetomidine Group): patients will receive 20 ml solution containing 1 mg/kg bupivacaine + 1 mcg/kg dexmedetomidine + normal saline.

Group B (ketamine group): patients will receive 20 ml of solution containing 1 mg/kg bupivacaine + 0.5 mg/kg ketamine + normal saline.

Group C (Control Group): Patients will receive 20 ml of solution containing 1 mg/kg bupivacaine + normal saline.

Participants will:

have general anesthesia in their planned unilateral hernioplasty. have an ipsilateral US guided TAP block (posterior approach) using one of the three study solutions at the end of the surgery prior to be waked up.

Measure their Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NRS) at rest and coughing at particular time intervals (0, 2, 4, 6, and 12 hours) after the operation.

Detailed Description

Dive into the extended narrative that explains the scientific background, objectives, and procedures in greater depth.

Preoperative Assessment:

Patients scheduled for unilateral inguinal hernioplasty will be assessed preoperatively by evaluating their medical history, laboratory investigations, and fulfillment of the above inclusion criteria. The patient's preparation will be done by IV cannulation with an 18G cannula, and infusion of 500 ml of Ringer's solution will be started, and about 20 minutes before anesthesia induction, midazolam (0.05 mg/kg) will be received as a sedative premedication.

Intraoperative Procedures and Assessments:

After reaching the operating room, standard monitoring will be applied, which includes electrocardiography (ECG), non-invasive blood pressure, and pulse oximetry for peripheral oxygen saturation (SPO2). After preoxygenation, induction of general anesthesia will be done by IV injection of propofol (2 mg/kg), fentanyl (2 mcg/kg), atracurium (0.5 mg/kg), and inhalational isoflurane 1.2%, followed by endotracheal intubation and controlled mechanical ventilation with tidal volume 7-8 ml/kg, respiratory rate 12/min, and FIO₂ 100%. Then anesthesia will be maintained by inhalational isoflurane, atracurium 0.1 mg/kg every 20 minutes, and intraoperative fluid (Ringer's solution), which was calculated to cover the maintenance, deficit, and 3rd space requirement.

At the end of surgery an ipsilateral US-guided TAP block will be given to all the patients by placing a linear US probe (high-frequency probe 10-12 MHz) connected to a portable US unit initially in the mid-axillary plane midway between the lower costal margin and the highest point of iliac crest, then it was moved posteriorly till a scan reveals the transversus abdominis muscle tailing off into the aponeurosis, near the Quadratus lumborum muscle. The injection site was superficial to the aponeurosis near quadratus lumborum. while the patient in supine position with slight lateralization After skin disinfection, a 22-G needle with an injection line will be inserted in plane with the probe. Once the tip of the needle is placed in place, and after negative suction, 5 ml of 0.9% saline will be injected to verify the right place, then one of the three study solutions will be injected.

Group A (Dexmedetomidine Group): patients received 20 ml solution containing 1 mg/kg bupivacaine + 1 mcg/kg dexmedetomidine + normal saline.

Group B (Ketamine Group): patients received 20 ml solution containing 1 mg/kg bupivacaine + 0.5 mg/kg ketamine + normal saline.

Group C (Control Group): Patients received 20 ml of solution containing 1 mg/kg bupivacaine + normal saline.

Then discontinuation of inhalational isoflurane and reversal of muscle blockade by a neostigmine 0.05 mg/kg and atropine (0.01-0.02 mg/kg) mixture, and after fulfillment of extubation criteria, extubation was done.

Postoperative analgesic regimen:

When NRS \>3: Nalbuphine (0.1 mg/kg) will be given.

Conditions

See the medical conditions and disease areas that this research is targeting or investigating.

Postoperative Pain Relief

Study Design

Understand how the trial is structured, including allocation methods, masking strategies, primary purpose, and other design elements.

Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

At the end of surgery an ipsilateral US guided TAP block (posterior approach) will be given to all the patients by placing linear US probe (high frequency probe 10-12 MHz) connected to a portable US unit initially in the mid-axillary plane midway between the lower costal margin and the highest point of iliac crest, then it will be moved posteriorly till a scan reveals the transversus abdominis muscle tailing off into the aponeurosis, near the Quadratus lumborum muscle. The injection site is superficial to the aponeurosis near quadratus lumborum. while the patient in supine position with slight lateralization After skin disinfection, a 22-G needle with an injection line will be inserted in plane with the probe. Once the tip of the needle is placed in place and after negative suction 5 ml saline 0.9% will be injected to verify the right place, then one of the three study solutions will be injected.
Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

TRIPLE

Participants Caregivers Investigators
Sampling Method: Simple random sample. Randomization: Computer generated random list. Blinding: The patient, the physician performing the block and the investigator will be blinded as regard tools and patient's group.

Concealment: Randomization list will be concealed from all members off the study, known only by one person which is not included in it.

Study Groups

Review each arm or cohort in the study, along with the interventions and objectives associated with them.

DEX on TAP

Group A (Dexmedetomidine Group): patients will receive 20 ml solution containing 1 mg/kg bupivacaine + 1mcg/kg dexmedetomidine +normal saline.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Dexmedetomidine & Bupivacaine.

Intervention Type DRUG

Group A (Dexmedetomidine Group): patients will receive 20 ml solution containing 1 mg/kg bupivacaine + 1mcg/kg dexmedetomidine +normal saline.

KET on TAP

Group B (ketamine Group): patients will receive 20 ml solution containing 1 mg/kg bupivacaine+0.5 mg/kg ketamine + normal saline.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

ketamine and bupivacaine injection

Intervention Type DRUG

Group B (ketamine Group): patients will receive 20 ml solution containing 1 mg/kg bupivacaine+0.5 mg/kg ketamine + normal saline.

TAP

Group C (Control Group): Patients will receive 20 ml solution containing 1 mg/kg bupivacaine + normal saline.

Group Type PLACEBO_COMPARATOR

Bupivacaine

Intervention Type DRUG

Group C (Control Group): Patients will receive 20 ml solution containing 1 mg/kg bupivacaine + normal saline.

Interventions

Learn about the drugs, procedures, or behavioral strategies being tested and how they are applied within this trial.

Dexmedetomidine & Bupivacaine.

Group A (Dexmedetomidine Group): patients will receive 20 ml solution containing 1 mg/kg bupivacaine + 1mcg/kg dexmedetomidine +normal saline.

Intervention Type DRUG

ketamine and bupivacaine injection

Group B (ketamine Group): patients will receive 20 ml solution containing 1 mg/kg bupivacaine+0.5 mg/kg ketamine + normal saline.

Intervention Type DRUG

Bupivacaine

Group C (Control Group): Patients will receive 20 ml solution containing 1 mg/kg bupivacaine + normal saline.

Intervention Type DRUG

Eligibility Criteria

Check the participation requirements, including inclusion and exclusion rules, age limits, and whether healthy volunteers are accepted.

Inclusion Criteria

* Patients undergoing unilateral inguinal hernioplasty of ASA I or II.
* Age group: 18-60 years old.

Exclusion Criteria

* Patient refusal.
* known allergy to any of the used drugs
* ASA III or above
* Coagulation disorders and thrombocytopenia
* Body mass index (BMI) \>30
* Infection at needle insertion site
* Patients undergoing bilateral inguinal hernioplasty
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

60 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

Meet the organizations funding or collaborating on the study and learn about their roles.

Ain Shams University

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

Identify the individual or organization who holds primary responsibility for the study information submitted to regulators.

Mariam Mikhail Fouad Hanna

Assistant Lecturer at Department: Anesthesiology, Intensive Care and Pain Management, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University.

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

Explore where the study is taking place and check the recruitment status at each participating site.

Ain Shams University Hospitals

Cairo, , Egypt

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

Review the countries where the study has at least one active or historical site.

Egypt

Central Contacts

Reach out to these primary contacts for questions about participation or study logistics.

Mariam M Fouad

Role: CONTACT

Phone: +201274651580

Email: [email protected]

Facility Contacts

Find local site contact details for specific facilities participating in the trial.

Mariam M Fouad

Role: primary

Other Identifiers

Review additional registry numbers or institutional identifiers associated with this trial.

MD 42

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id