DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2019.v07i09.051

Pages: 3169-3176

Long acting local anaesthetics are used in brachial plexus block to increase the duration of analgesia. Adjuvants are added to local anaesthetics to improve the quality and duration of analgesia. Aim of our study is to evaluate the anaesthetic and analgesic effects of Levobupivacaine versus Levobupivacaine with Dexmeditomidine in supraclavicular block of brachial plexus and to find out if adding adjuvants makes it more effective in the block and also its safety profile in combination with Levobupivacaine. In this randomized double blinded controlled study, 72 patients who were posted for upper limb surgeries were recruited. These patients were divided into 2 groups. Group L (Levobupivacaine) received 30ml of 0.5% Levobupivacaine with normal saline and Group LD (Dexmeditomidine) received 30ml of 0.5% Levobupivacaine with 1mcg/kg dexmeditomidine via supraclavicular block under peripheral nerve stimulator. Sensory and motor block assessment was done every 3 min for 30 min till the patient recover from complete sensory and motor blockade. VAS score was assessed in post-operative ward at intervals of 30min, 60min, 2hrs, 12hrs, 18 hours. The onset of sensory and motor blockade was faster in Group LD when compared to Group L. The duration of sensory blockade, motor blockade and analgesia was longer in Group LD when compared to Group L (p<0.001). We conclude that addition of 1mcg/kg dexmeditomidine as an adjuvant to 0.5% Levobupivacaine for supraclavicular brachial plexus block increases the duration of analgesia and improves quality of analgesia by facilitating fast onset of sensory and motor blockade without any neurological deficits.