Table 3. Characteristics of Dexmedetomidine used in an Infraclavicular Brachial Plexus Block.

Dexmedetomidine vs. Injectate Type		Article		Groups Studied and Intervention		Results and Findings		Conclusions
Keterolac		Mirkhesti 2014		Clinical trial study of 3 groups of 37 patients undergoing an ultrasound guided brachial plexus block for an elective distal arm and forearm surgery divided into a dexmedetomidine group, a ketorolac group, and a control group		There were no significant differences in terms of the onset of the sensory block in the three groups (P = 0.177). The motor block onset was statistically less in the dexmedetomidine group when compared to the ketorolac and placebo groups (P < 0.001) and that the duration of the sensory block was also longer the dexmedetomidine group as well (P < 0.001)		When compared with ketorolac, dexmedetomidine is more effective at sensory and motor block duration in an infraclavicular brachial plexus block
Bupivacaine		Amany 2012		A randomized control study with 60 patients divided into 2 groups: one group received 30 mL of 0.33% bupivacaine and the second group received 30 mL of 0.33% bupivacaine along with 0.75 μg/kg of dexmedetomidine.		The combined dexmedetomidine and bupivacaine block had a statistically significant faster time to onset of the sensory block (P = 0.003), a longer duration of sensory block (P = 0.002) and a longer motor block duration (P = 0.002) as well as lower morphine requirements up to 48 hours after the surgery.		Combining dexmedetomidine with bupivacaine during an infraclavicular brachial plexus block enhances the onset and duration of the sensory and motor block.
Buprenorphine		Lomate 2020		Randomized control trial of 100 patients receiving an ultrasound guided infraclavicular brachial plexus block divided into two groups with one receiving 150 μg buprenorphine and the other receiving 50 μg dexmedetomidine both added to 30 ml of 0.375% bupivacaine		The duration of the sensory and motor block was prolonged in the dexmedetomidine group (P < 0.05). The onset of the sensory and motor block (P < 0.05) and the duration of the analgesia postoperatively was longer in the dexmedetomidine group.		When compared to buprenorphine, a dexmedetomidine block in an infraclavicular brachial plexus block showed an improved duration and improved duration of postoperative analgesia
Dexamethasone		Aliste 2019		A randomized clinical trial of 120 patients receiving an ultrasound-guided infraclavicular block for upper limb surgery. Patients were randomly assigned to receive perineural dexamethasone (5 mg) or dexmedetomidine (100 μg).		Dexamethasone showed a longer duration of motor block (p < 0.001) and sensory block (P < 0.001) while dexmedetomidine showed a decrease in heart rate and blood pressure.		Dexamethasone was more effective in terms of sensory and motor block duration when compared to dexmedetomidine
		Yaghoobi 2019		A double-blinded randomized clinical trial of 75 patients undergoing forearm fracture surgery receiving an infraclavicular brachial plexus block. Patients were divided into three groups: a lidocaine group that received 28 mL lidocaine and 2 mL distilled water, a dexamethasone group that received 28 mL lidocaine and 2 mL dexamethasone and a dexmedetomidine group that received 28 mL lidocaine plus 2 mL dexmedetomidine		The duration of the sensory block and the motor block was longer in the dexmedetomidine group when compared to the lidocaine group. There was no overall difference in postoperative pain rating in the dexmedetomidine group when compared to the dexamethasone group		When comparing dexamethasone with dexmedetomidine, there was no difference in postoperative pain. Dexmedetomidine showed a longer sensory block duration.