Effect of Nalbuphine as an adjuvant to 0.5% Bupivacaine for supraclavicular brachial plexus block

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Brachial plexus block is most common regional anaesthetic technique for upper arm and hand surgeries. Nalbuphine is a derivative of hydroxymorphine with mixed agonist, antagonist properties and is a strong analgesic. The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of Nalbuphine added to 0.5% Bupivacaine for supraclavicular brachial plexus block. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 60 adults patients posted for forearm and hand surgeries under supraclavicular brachial plexus block were divided into two equal groups in a randomised double blind manner. Gr I ( n=30) received 29 ml 0.5% Bupivacaine + 10 mg Nalbuphine hydrochloride ( 1 ml). Gr II received 29 ml of 0.5% Bupivacaine + 1 ml Normal Saline (0.9%). Study drug was administered in supraclavicular brachial plexus block by B. Braun Stimuplex HNS12 peripheral nerve stimulator. Following parameters were studied. Onset time, duration of sensory and motor block, time to first analgesia use. Post operative analgesia was evaluated by visual analog scale ( VAS) score, hemodynamic changes and side effects were recorded after block. RESULTS : Onset time was comparable in both the groups.