Sedation with dexmedetomidine prolongs the analgesic duration of brachial plexus block: a randomised controlled trial

102 patients scheduled for open reduction and internal fixation of a radial fracture or ulnar shortening for ulnar impaction and administered a brachial plexus block were randomized to sedation with either dexmedetomidine or midazolam. The primary outcome of interest was total opioid consumption. The secondary outcome of interest was the time to first request for analgesia. Results revealed significantly favourable total opioid consumption and time to first request for analgesia in the dexmedetomidine group compared to the midazolam group.