Efficacy of adjuvant dexmedetomidine in supraclavicular brachial plexus block for intractable complex regional pain syndrome: A case report with a 3-year follow-up

What is known and objective: Pain management for complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is challenging. When added to local anaesthetics, dexmedetomidine prolongs the duration of the block and improves analgesia. The effect of long-term dexmedetomidine use in the brachial plexus block (BPB) for CRPS is unknown. Case description: Here, we describe a case of satisfactory pain relief after supraclavicular BPB with dexmedetomidine every 1-3 months over 2 years (10 treatments), in a patient with severe upper extremity CRPS-related pain. What is new and conclusion: Repeated, long-term, perineural administration of dexmedetomidine with BPB may be suitable for alleviating refractory CRPS pain.