Actively Recruiting
PENG Block With Dexmedetomidine in Older Adults
Led by Poznan University of Medical Sciences · Updated on 2026-03-04
30
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
55 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Pain after hip surgery is a common problem in older adults and may delay early mobilization, increase the need for opioid pain medications, and contribute to complications such as delirium, nausea, or prolonged hospital stay. Regional anesthesia techniques are increasingly used to improve pain control while reducing the use of systemic opioids. The pericapsular nerve group (PENG) block is a modern ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia technique designed to provide effective pain relief after hip surgery while preserving muscle strength. It allows patients to begin mobilization earlier and may reduce the risk of postoperative complications, which is particularly important in older adults. Ropivacaine is a commonly used local anesthetic for nerve blocks. Dexmedetomidine is a medication that, when added in small doses to local anesthetics, may prolong pain relief and improve the quality of nerve blocks without significantly increasing side effects. However, the benefits and safety of adding dexmedetomidine to the PENG block in older adults have not been sufficiently studied. The aim of this randomized controlled clinical study is to compare the effectiveness and safety of two PENG block techniques in older adults undergoing hip surgery. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group will receive a PENG block with 20 mL of 0.2% ropivacaine. The second group will receive a PENG block with 20 mL of 0.2% ropivacaine combined with 25 micrograms of dexmedetomidine. The study hypothesis is that the addition of dexmedetomidine to ropivacaine in the PENG block will provide longer-lasting and more effective postoperative pain relief compared with ropivacaine alone, without increasing adverse effects. Outcomes assessed in the study will include postoperative pain intensity, need for additional pain medications, time to first mobilization, and the occurrence of side effects such as low blood pressure, slow heart rate, excessive sedation, or delirium. The results of this study may help optimize regional anesthesia techniques for hip surgery in older adults and contribute to safer, more effective postoperative pain management strategies.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
PENG Block With Dexmedetomidine in Older Adults
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Age 65 years or older
- Scheduled for elective or emergency hip surgery such as hip fracture fixation or hip arthroplasty
- ASA physical status classification I to III
- Ability to communicate pain intensity using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS)
- Provided written informed consent or consent from legal representative
- Planned use of PENG block as part of multimodal perioperative pain management
You will not qualify if you...
- Refusal or inability to provide informed consent
- Allergy, intolerance, or contraindication to ropivacaine or dexmedetomidine
- Existing neurological deficit or neuropathy in the affected limb
- Blood clotting disorders (INR >1.5, platelets <100,000/µL) or therapeutic anticoagulation that prevents regional anesthesia
- Infection at or near the injection site
- Severe liver or kidney impairment
- History of chronic opioid use for more than 30 days before surgery
- Cognitive impairment or delirium that prevents reliable pain assessment
- Body mass index over 40 kg/m²
- Receiving another regional nerve block for hip surgery
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Participation in another interventional clinical trial within the past 30 days
AI-Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Poznan University of Medical Sciences
Poznan, Poland, 62-701
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
M
Malgorzata Reysner, MD PhD
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
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