Effect of Dexmeditomidine in Supraclavicular Brachial Plexus Block

Abstract

Introduction: Alpha-2 agonists are mixed with local anaesthetic agents to extend the duration of spinal, extradural and peripheral nerve blocks. We studied the effect of dexmeditomidine as an adjuvant to bupivacaine in brachial plexus block on onset and duration of sensory and motor block, duration of analgesia, level of sedation, perioperative hemodynamic parameters and complications. Methods: Forty patients of ASA ? and ASA ?? scheduled for upper limb surgery were included in double blind randomised comparison of inj. Dexmeditomidine and inj. Normal saline. We divided patients in two groups. Group A patients were given inj dexmeditomidine 50 microgm (0.5ml) and group B patients were given inj normal saline in brachial plexus block as adjuvant to 30 ml of local anaesthesic solution containing 14 ml of lidocaine with adrenaline and 16ml bupivacaine. We recorded time of onset and duration of sensory and motor block, level of sedation, duration of analgesia, hemodynamic changes and side effects in both groups. Results: mean time to onset of sensory block was 5.42±1.39 min in group A and 8.34± 1.35 min group B and that of motor block was 11.1± 2.6min in group A and 18.0± 2.9min in group B. Total duration of sensory block was 730.15±78.27min in group A and 360.62±61.7min in group B and that of motor block was 616.2± 54.46min in group A and 288.4± 54.26min in group B. Duration of analgesia was 970.36 ± 80.7 min in group A and 300±40.31 min in group B. Conclusion: addition of 50 microgm of inj dexmeditomidine to bupivacaine in brachial plexus block shortens onset and prolongs duration of sensory and motor block, prolongs duration of analgesia and decreases intraoperative requirement of sedatives. Key words: Supraclavicular Brachial Block, Dexmeditomidine, Analgesia, Sedatio