Comparison of intravenous versus perineural dexamethasone as a local anaesthetic adjunct for peripheral nerve blocks in the lower limb: A meta-analysis and systematic review.

Background: As a local anaesthetic adjunct, the systemic absorption of perineural dexamethasone in the lower limb could be restricted because of decreased vascularity when compared with the upper limb.

Objectives: To compare the pharmacodynamic characteristics of intravenous and perineural dexamethasone in the lower limb.

Design: Systematic review of randomised controlled trials with meta-analysis.

Data sources: Systematic search of Central, Google Scholar, Ovid Embase and Ovid Medline to 18 July 2023.

Eligibility criteria: Randomised controlled trials, which compared the intravenous with perineural administration of dexamethasone as a local anaesthetic adjunct in peripheral nerve blocks for surgery of the lower limb.

Results: The most common peripheral nerve blocks were femoral, sciatic and ankle block. The local anaesthetic was long acting in all trials and the dose of dexamethasone was 8 mg in most trials. The primary outcome, the duration of analgesia, was investigated by all nine trials ( n  = 546 patients). Overall, compared with intravenous dexamethasone, perineural dexamethasone increased the duration of analgesia from 19.54 to 22.27 h, a mean difference [95% confidence interval (CI) of 2.73 (1.07 to 4.38) h; P  = 0.001, I2  = 87]. The quality of evidence was moderate owing to serious inconsistency. However, analysis based on the location of the peripheral nerve block, the type of local anaesthetic or the use of perineural adrenaline showed no difference in duration between intravenous and perineural dexamethasone. No differences were shown for any of the secondary outcomes related to efficacy and side effects.

Conclusion: In summary, moderate evidence supports the superiority of perineural dexamethasone over intravenous dexamethasone in prolonging the duration of analgesia. However, this difference is unlikely to be clinically relevant. Consideration of the perineural use of dexamethasone should recognise that this route of administration remains off label.