A Comparative Study of Efficacy of Clonidine and Dexmedetomidine As An Adjuvant to Ropivacaine in Ultrasound Guided Supraclavicular Brachial Plexus Block Vis-À-Vis Onset of Surgical Anaesthesia and Duration of Effect in Upper Limb Surgeries

Abstract

Background: Supraclavicular block is a safe, reliable and cost effective technique of providing anesthesia for the upper limb surgeries.
 Objectives:  To evaluate the effect of Clonidine and Dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to Ropivacaine in ultrasound guided supraclavicular block in upper limb surgeries with respect to: Onset of sensory and motor block, Duration of sensory and motor block, Quality of block and Duration of post-operative analgesia.
 Materials and methods: The purpose of present study was to compare the effect of addition of clonidine 1mcg/kg vs dexmedetomidine 1mcg/kg to 20ml of 0.5% ropivacaine in ultrasound guided supraclavicular brachial plexus block. A total of 90 patients of ASA I and II, aged 18-60 years, of either gender, undergoing upper limb surgery were allocated to three groups. Each group consisted of 30 patients. They received drugs as under: Group-A (dexmedetomidine group) received 20ml of 0.5% ropivacaine plus 1μg/kg of dexmedetomidine. Group-B (clonidine group) received 20ml of 0.5% ropivacaine plus 1mcg/kg clonidine. Group-C (placebo group) received 20 ml of 0.5% ropivacaine plus 2 ml normal saline.
 Results: Onset of sensory block was faster in Group-A as compared to Group-B and Group-C. The difference was statistically significant (p-value<0.05). Onset of motor block was faster in Group-A as compared to Group-B and Group C. The difference was statistically significant (p-value<0.05). Patients of Group-A had significantly longer duration of sensory and motor block when compared with Group-B and Group-C (p-value<0.05). Duration of post-operative analgesia was significantly longer in Group-A as compared to Group-B and Group-C (p-value<0.05). Quality of block was significantly better in Group-A as compared to Group-B and Group-C (p-value<0.05).
 Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine prolongs the duration of sensory and motor block, duration of postoperative analgesia and improves the quality of block much more as compared to clonidine when used as an adjuvant to ropivacaine in supraclavicular brachial plexus block.