A Phase 4 interventional study of Dexamethasone (IV) and Single-shot interscalene brachial plexus block in Pain, Postoperative, Rebound Pain and Shoulder Injuries, sponsored by Seoul National University Hospital. Recruiting at 1 site in South Korea. Open to participants aged 19 Years to 79 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-09-29.
Sponsored by Seoul National University Hospital · Phase 4, Interventional, and Treatment
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Among 148 studies testing dexamethasone in Pain, Postoperative — 27 open to participants now, 30 under way, 2 of them phase 3. Dexamethasone · Pain, Postoperative.
Among the 148 studies testing dexamethasone in Pain, Postoperative, this one is the 61st largest by planned enrollment, is one of 17 that started in 2026, is one of 75 in phase 4, reaches primary completion later than 22 of the 29 other live ones, and was the 140th registered.
5,648 studies on the registry are indexed under Pain, Postoperative; 1,231 are open to participants now.
Browse Pain, Postoperative studies →27 of the 148 studies testing dexamethasone in Pain, Postoperative are open now, in 8 countries. Recruiting first, the newest first:
Ain Shams University · Sites in Egypt
Ages 50–70
Marmara University · Sites in Turkey
Ages 18–65 · Healthy volunteers
Beijing Tiantan Hospital · Sites in China
Ages 18–65
Oman Ministry of Health · Sites in Oman
Ages 21–80
University of Saskatchewan · Sites in Canada
Ages 18+ · Healthy volunteers
By country, each count listing its studies:
Dexamethasone: first FDA approval 1958 (DECADRON), first EMA approval 2010. What it is approved for, and how studies give it, is on its page →
Of the 679 Pain, Postoperative studies recruiting now, 240 (35%) set no upper age limit and 329 (48%) stop at 75 or younger; 74 take children under 18; 128 take healthy volunteers.
This study: 19 Years to 79 Years · all sexes · no healthy volunteers.
The full table on the hub →This tab as a report to print or save as PDF → With an account.
148 studies; the count open now beside each. This study's row is marked.
A study in two phases is counted once above. Listed by phase, each with its combined phases: Phase 1 11 · Phase 2 14 · Phase 3 19 · Phase 4 75
First in 2005; this study’s year is marked. 17 started in 2026.
By drug class, each counting the studies that test any of its medicines:
This study's planned enrollment of 92 is above the median of 75 across 4,829 interventional studies indexed under Pain, Postoperative.
Median enrollment 89 across the 148 interventional studies. Of the 96 that completed or were terminated, 22 (23%) have results posted.
This tab as a report to print or save as PDF → With an account.
1 of 148 have an industry lead sponsor. The 10 most frequent:
Seoul National University Hospital is the lead sponsor of 1,900 studies on the registry; 274 are open to participants now.
Of its 12 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 2 (17%) have results posted.
36 studies in Pain, Postoperative by Seoul National University Hospital: 10 open now, 12 under way, none of them phase 3. Of 18 finished, 0 (0%) have results posted.
Among the 36 studies in Pain, Postoperative by Seoul National University Hospital, this one is the 13th largest by planned enrollment of the 31 interventional ones that give a count, is one of 4 that started in 2026, is one of 4 in phase 4, reaches primary completion later than 7 of the 11 other live ones, and was the 35th registered.
Seoul National University Hospital’s Pain, Postoperative studies by the year they started, since 2011.
11 of the studies testing dexamethasone in Pain, Postoperative that are under way reach primary completion within a year, 2 of them phase 3. Phase 3 first, then by date:
| Study | Primary completion |
|---|---|
| NCT07413055Phase 3Oman Ministry of HealthComparative Efficacy Of 4 mg VS. 8 mg Submucosal Dexamethasone In Postoperative Pain Management After Dental Implant Surgery: A Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Clinical Trial | 2026-11-15 |
| NCT07847047Phase 3Assiut UniversitySafety and Efficacy of Dexamethasone Versus Dexmedetomidine as Adjuvants in PENG Block in Hip Surgeries for Postoperative Pain Management | 2027-10 |
| NCT07795281Gaziantep City HospitalIntravenous Dexamethasone Added to Dexmedetomidine After Superior Trunk Block | 2026-12 |
| NCT07380139Ain Shams UniversityDexamethasone vs Dexmedetomidine in Sphenopalatine Ganglion Block for Rhinoplasty Pain | 2026-12-01 |
| NCT07672873Marmara UniversityLocal Dexamethasone Administration in Symptomatic Irreversible Pulpitis | 2026-12-15 |
Add all 11 to your calendar (.ics) → With an account.
Among the 148 studies testing dexamethasone in Pain, Postoperative, from their registry updates:
Among Seoul National University Hospital’s 36 in Pain, Postoperative:
This tab as a report to print or save as PDF → With an account.
Shoulder surgery often causes severe pain after the operation. To control this pain, doctors commonly perform a nerve block (interscalene brachial plexus block), which numbs the shoulder area. However, when the effect of a single-injection nerve block wears off, many patients experience sudden, intense pain known as "rebound pain".
One way to prevent rebound pain is to place a thin catheter near the nerves so that local anesthetic can be given continuously for a longer period (continuous nerve block). However, this method is technically demanding and can cause problems such as catheter dislodgement, infection, and inconvenience for patients. Another simpler option is to give a single-injection nerve block together with an intravenous (IV) injection of dexamethasone, a steroid medication known to prolong the effect of nerve blocks and reduce rebound pain.
The purpose of this study is to determine whether a single-injection nerve block combined with IV dexamethasone (5 mg) is not inferior to a continuous nerve block in preventing rebound pain after shoulder surgery. A total of 92 adult patients scheduled for elective shoulder surgery will be randomly assigned to one of the two groups. The main outcome is the rebound pain score, defined as the difference between the last pain score recorded in the recovery room (while the nerve block is still working) and the highest pain score reported within the first 24 hours after the nerve block. The investigators expect that the simpler single-injection method with IV dexamethasone will provide comparable pain control while avoiding the complications and inconvenience of catheter-based continuous nerve blocks.
Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.
Exclusion Criteria:
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
The anaesthetists’ scale of health before surgery: I is healthy, II has a mild illness that is under control, III a severe one, IV a severe illness that is a constant threat to life. V and VI are used for the critically ill and for organ donors.
A reason a treatment, test or procedure should not be given to a particular person, such as an allergy, another illness or a medicine they take.
An allergy, or another reaction of the immune system, to a substance. “Hypersensitivity to the study drug” means a known allergic reaction to it — not every side effect a medicine can have.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: long-term lung disease that makes it hard to breathe out, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
Weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared. Example: 70 kg and 1.75 m gives 70 ÷ (1.75 × 1.75) ≈ 22.9.
What counts as overweight or obesity differs between countries (some use lower cut-offs), so go by the range the study states.
Anti-inflammatory medicines such as prednisone, prednisolone and dexamethasone — not the anabolic steroids used for muscle.
Studies differ in what they allow: check which steroid medicines, routes (tablets, injections, creams, inhalers, eye drops) and doses this study accepts.
ASA physical status
The anaesthetists’ scale of health before surgery: I is healthy, II has a mild illness that is under control, III a severe one, IV a severe illness that is a constant threat to life. V and VI are used for the critically ill and for organ donors.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Contraindication
A reason a treatment, test or procedure should not be given to a particular person, such as an allergy, another illness or a medicine they take.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Hypersensitivity
An allergy, or another reaction of the immune system, to a substance. “Hypersensitivity to the study drug” means a known allergic reaction to it — not every side effect a medicine can have.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
COPD
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: long-term lung disease that makes it hard to breathe out, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
BMI (body mass index)
Weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared. Example: 70 kg and 1.75 m gives 70 ÷ (1.75 × 1.75) ≈ 22.9.
What counts as overweight or obesity differs between countries (some use lower cut-offs), so go by the range the study states.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Corticosteroids (steroids)
Anti-inflammatory medicines such as prednisone, prednisolone and dexamethasone — not the anabolic steroids used for muscle.
Studies differ in what they allow: check which steroid medicines, routes (tablets, injections, creams, inhalers, eye drops) and doses this study accepts.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Participants receive a single-shot ultrasound-guided interscalene brachial plexus block with 0.75% ropivacaine 15-20 mL, followed by intravenous dexamethasone 5 mg administered after confirmation of successful block on arrival in the operating room. Postoperatively, an intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump with fentanyl (10 mcg/mL, bolus 1 mL, lockout 6 min, no basal rate) is connected. All participants receive standard multimodal analgesia (intravenous acetaminophen 1000 mg plus ibuprofen 300 mg every 8 hours).
Drug: Dexamethasone (IV) · Procedure: Single-shot interscalene brachial plexus block
Participants receive an ultrasound-guided continuous interscalene brachial plexus block: 0.75% ropivacaine 15-20 mL is injected at the interscalene level, and a perineural catheter is placed with the tip adjacent to the superior trunk. Postoperatively, a nerve block PCA (0.2% ropivacaine, basal rate 5 mL/h, bolus 3 mL, lockout 30 min) is connected via the catheter. All participants receive the same standard multimodal analgesia as the experimental arm.
Procedure: Continuous interscalene brachial plexus block
Intravenous dexamethasone 5 mg, administered as a single dose after confirmation of adequate sensory and motor block on arrival in the operating room.
Ultrasound-guided single-shot interscalene brachial plexus block performed with a 50 mm needle. 0.75% ropivacaine 15-20 mL is injected at the interscalene level. No perineural catheter is placed.
Ultrasound-guided interscalene brachial plexus block with 0.75% ropivacaine 15-20 mL, followed by placement of a perineural catheter adjacent to the superior trunk. Continuous postoperative analgesia is provided through the catheter using 0.2% ropivacaine (basal rate 5 mL/h, bolus 3 mL, lockout time 30 min) via a patient-controlled analgesia pump.
Rebound Pain Score (RPS)
Difference between the last pain score recorded in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) while the nerve block is still effective and the highest pain score reported within the first 24 hours after the nerve block, measured on an 11-point Numerical Rating Scale (NRS; 0 = no pain, 10 = worst pain imaginable). Higher scores indicate more severe rebound pain. Non-inferiority margin: 1.5.
Time frame: Within 24 hours after the nerve block
Postoperative pain score (NRS)
Pain intensity at rest and during movement, measured on an 11-point NRS (0 = no pain, 10 = worst pain imaginable).
Time frame: 4, 8, 12, 24, and 48 hours after surgery
Peak NRS pain score
Highest pain score reported during each period, on an 11-point NRS.
Time frame: 0-24 hours and 24-48 hours after surgery
Incidence of severe rebound pain
Proportion of participants experiencing rebound pain with NRS ≥ 7.
Time frame: Within 24 hours after the nerve block
Block duration
Time from completion of the nerve block to the first onset of pain.
Time frame: Up to 48 hours after the nerve block
Time to first rescue analgesic
Time from the end of surgery to the first administration of rescue analgesics.
Time frame: Up to 48 hours after surgery
Cumulative opioid consumption
Cumulative opioid consumption converted to oral morphine equivalents (OME), including PCA use and rescue opioids.
Time frame: 24 and 48 hours after surgery
Block performance time
Single-shot group: time from donning gloves to needle removal. Continuous group: time from donning gloves to completion of aseptic dressing.
Time frame: During the block procedure (day of surgery)
Block failure rate
Proportion of participants with inadequate sensory/motor block on arrival in the operating room requiring rescue block.
Time frame: From block completion to start of surgery (day of surgery)
Rescue block administration
Proportion of participants requiring an additional rescue block (0.75% ropivacaine 5-10 mL).
Time frame: Day of surgery
Intraoperative rescue analgesic use
Proportion of participants requiring intraoperative rescue analgesics (IV fentanyl 50-100 μg).
Time frame: During surgery
Conversion to general anesthesia
Proportion of participants requiring conversion to general anesthesia due to inadequate block or uncontrolled pain.
Time frame: During surgery
Intraoperative sedative consumption
Total dose of propofol administered for sedation during surgery.
Time frame: During surgery
Quality of Recovery-15 Korean version (QoR-15K) score
Quality of recovery assessed using the QoR-15K questionnaire (score range 0-150; higher scores indicate better recovery).
Time frame: Baseline (day before surgery) and 24 hours after surgery
Incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV)
Proportion of participants experiencing PONV and requiring antiemetics.
Time frame: 4, 8, 12, 24, and 48 hours after surgery
Length of hospital stay
Duration of hospitalization from surgery to discharge.
Time frame: From surgery to discharge, up to 30 days
Patient satisfaction
Numerical rating scale satisfaction score. 0, not satisfied; 10, absolutely satisfied.
Time frame: 48 hours after surgery
Incidence of hemidiaphragmatic paralysis
Proportion of participants with phrenic nerve palsy after the block.
Time frame: Within 24 hours after the nerve block
Postoperative blood glucose change
Change in blood glucose level on postoperative day 1 compared with baseline.
Time frame: Postoperative day 1
Incidence of surgical and anesthetic complications
Surgical complications (surgical site infection, delayed wound healing) and anesthesia-related complications (nerve injury, local anesthetic systemic toxicity, catheter-related problems such as dislodgement, leakage, or infection).
Time frame: Up to 30 days after surgery
Plan to share: No — Individual participant data will not be shared because the informed consent obtained from participants does not include provisions for data sharing with third parties.
No publications or documents are linked to this record.
Started Aug 2026 (actual). Primary completion is estimated for Jun 2027, 9 months after the start.
Of 532 non-industry phase 4 interventional studies under Pain, Postoperative, half reached primary completion within 16 months of starting (the median), counting those still running; a quarter within 8 and three quarters within 32. This study's planned 9 months is below that.
Counting every sponsor, half of 542 studies reached it within 16 months; a quarter within 8 and three quarters within 32.
Start moved once since we started tracking on Sep 25, 2026: Jul 2026 → Aug 2026, on Sep 29, 2026.
Earlier changes are on the record history on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.
From the registry record's own update history. This site started tracking changes on Sep 25, 2026; for anything earlier, see the record history on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
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Studies of the drug tested here: Dexamethasone
Seoul National University Hospital →