Sixty patients scheduled for an arthroscopic shoulder surgery were randomized to receive intravenous pre-emptive dexketoprofen (n=30) or normal saline (n=30) fifteen minutes prior to incision for the reduction of pain and opioid consumption. Outcomes of interest included duration of motor blockade and sensory blockade, total patient controlled fentanyl consumption, pain scores on a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and the incidence of adverse events. Outcomes were assessed up to 48 hours post-operation. Results revealed no statistical significant differences between the two groups in motor block duration (p=0.437); however, sensory block duration was statistically significantly longer in the dexketoprofen group compared to the control group (210.66min vs 168.0 min; p=0.037). Moreover, patient controlled fentanyl consumption post-operation was statistically significantly lower in the dexketoprofen group compared to the control group (p=0.026). Also, VAS pain scores, which were measured up to 48 hours post-operation, were all statistically significantly lower in the dexketoprofen group compared to the control group (p<0.05 for all). No cases of neurological complication were reported in either group.