Comparative evaluation of efficacy of two doses of dexmedetomidine as adjuvant to ropivacaine ultrasound guided supraclavicular brachial plexus block

Abstract

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background: </strong>Dexmedetomidine as neuraxial adjuvant decreased postoperative pain intensity, prolonged analgesic duration. But use of dexmedetomidine is associated with doses dependent increase in adverse effect like hypertension, hypotension, bradycardia, excessive sedation, sleepiness. Optimal dose of dexmedetomidine is still uncertain. Present study has been designed with an aim to evaluation of efficacy of two doses of dexmedetomidine as adjuvant to ropivacaine ultrasound guided supraclavicular brachial plexus block.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods: </strong>The patients were randomly divided in to two groups. Group A were received 15 ml of 0.5% ropivacaine with 50 µg one ml dexmedetomidine. Group B were received 15 ml of 0.5% of ropivacaine with 100 µg of dexmedetomidine. Parameters observed were onset of motor block, onset of sensory block, duration of sensory block, duration of motor block. Adverse drug reaction like hypertension, hypotension, bradycardia and sedation were recorded.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results: </strong>We have observed that mean duration of analgesia was longer in group B than group A (650.54±98.54 min versus 702.22±80.24 min) but the difference is not significant statistically (p=0.08). Time for requirement of rescue analgesia was longer in group B than group A (713.45±96.21 min versus 789.23±99.23 min) but the difference is significant statistically (p=0.04).</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> From present study we can conclude that 100 µg dexmedetomidine as adjuvant to ropivacaine is no significantly better that reducing time of onset of sensory and motor block and prolongation of motor and sensory block. Duration of analgesia was comparable in both doses but time required for rescue analgesia was significantly longer higher dose group.</p>