A COMPARISON OF DEXMEDETOMIDINE AND BUPRENORPHINE AS AN ADJUVANT WITH 0.5% BUPIVACAINE IN PERIPHERAL NERVE STIMULATOR (PNS) GUIDED SUPRACLAVICULAR BRACHIAL PLEXUS BLOCK - A PROSPECTIVE DOUBLE BLINDED RANDOMIZED CLINICAL STUDY

Abstract

Background And Aims: We compared the block quality and characteristics between dexmedetomidine versus buprenorphine as an adjuvant to bupivacaine in Peripheral nerve stimulator guided supraclavicular brachial plexus block. The quality of block by dexemetomidine was found to be better than buprenorphine and thus has opioid sparing action. Duration of sensory and motor block along with duration of analgesia were the primary outcomes studied. Methods:Total 80 patients of either sex, 40 patients in each group presenting for upper limb surgeries Each participant fullling our inclusion criteria then included. Results: In our study group D represents the group that received dexemotomidine while group B represents the group that received buprenorphine Mean duration of sensory block in group D was (704.05± 123.16) min and in group B it was (543.25 ± 60.14) min while mean duration of motor block in Group D (& (662.05± 121.83) was longer than Group B (397.50±56.51) and Duration of analgesia in Group D (782.88 ±115.44) was also longer than Group B (636.25±53.62).The results were statistically signicant. Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine I dose of 1ug/kg prolongs the duration of sensory and motor blockade and duration of analgesia as compared with buprenorphine when used as an adjuvant to 0.5%bupivacaine in supraclavicular brachial plexus block, with no major adverse side effects