PENG Block With Dexmedetomidine in Older Adults

Summary

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

• Hip Osteoarthritis
• Arthropathy of Hip

Interventions

DRUG

Ropivacaine 0.2% Injectable Solution

Ropivacaine is a long-acting local anesthetic used for regional anesthesia. In this study, it is administered perineurally as part of an ultrasound-guided pericapsular nerve group (PENG) block for postoperative pain management in older adults undergoing hip surgery.

DRUG

Dexmedetomidine

Dexmedetomidine is a selective alpha-2 adrenergic agonist used as an adjuvant to local anesthetics to enhance and prolong analgesia. In this study, dexmedetomidine is administered perineurally in combination with ropivacaine as part of an ultrasound-guided pericapsular nerve group (PENG) block.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Poznan University of Medical Sciences

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Malgorzata Reysner, MD PhD · Poznan University of Medical Sciences

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

QUADRUPLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

65 Years

Max Age

100 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-02-06

Primary Completion

2027-01-31

Completion

2027-02-28

Countries

• Poland

Study Locations