Evaluating the Efficacy of Dexmedetomidine as an Adjunct to Local Anesthetics in Adductor Canal Blocks for Adult Patients Undergoing Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Key Points

• The study aims to assess the effectiveness of dexmedetomidine as an adjunct to local anesthetics in enhancing analgesia during knee surgeries.
• Conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies evaluating dexmedetomidine in adductor canal blocks.
• Included analyses of time to first rescue analgesia and ambulation outcomes.
• Considered heterogeneity among included studies.
• Dexmedetomidine increased time to first rescue analgesia by 1.54 hours.
• Ambulation outcomes improved for patients receiving dexmedetomidine.
• Significant heterogeneity was noted, limiting generalizability of results.