DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2016.v04i11.005

Pages: 3883-3889

Local anaesthetics are used widely in regional and peripheral nerve blocks inspite of many disadvantages like short duration of action, associated allergic reaction and systemic toxicity. To overcome the above drawbacks different measures tried. The search for ideal additive continues and led us to try the novel α2 adrenergic agonist dexmedetomidine and clonidine as an adjuvant to local anaesthetics in supraclavicular brachial plexus block. Ninety patients aged 18 to 60 years, scheduled for elective Orthopaedic/Plastic surgery operations distal to elbow in the upper limb, under supraclavicular brachial plexus block, were included in this study. The study was designed as a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Group RC - 20 ml of 0.5% Ropivacaine and Clonidin (1 mcg/kg) diluted to 30 ml with normal saline, Group RD - 20 ml of 0.5% Ropivacaine and Dexmedetomidine (1 mcg/kg) diluted to 30 ml with normal saline, Group R - 20 ml of 0.5% Ropivacaine diluted to 30 ml with normal saline. . All observations (level of sedation, time required to achieve surgical block in the operation theatre, hemodynamic variables and the time to rescue analgesic in the post anaesthesia care unit) were also recorded in a blinded manner. Continuous data are presented as mean ± SD one way ANOVA test were used for parametric data analysis. Results of this study demonstrate that adding 1µg/kg Dexmedetomidine to 0.5% Ropivacaine hastens the onset of sensorimotor block and prolongs the duration of postoperative analgesia more than 1 g/kg clonidine to 0.5% Ropivacaine in brachial plexus block . Hemodynamics remained stable throughout the study period with both the drugs.