DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2013.v01i06.0053

Pages: 887-893

Several clinical studies have shown that clonidine prolongs sensory motor blockade when used with bupivacaine but effect of clonidine on ropivacaine is not well defined. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of clonidine on ropivacaine, for supraclavicular brachial plexus blockade. In a prospective randomised double blind placebo controlled study supraclavicular brachial plexus blockade was performed in 80 patients using 35 ml ropivacaine (0.5 %). Group A (n=40) had 150 μg clonidine and in Group B (n=40) 1ml normal saline added to ropivacaine. Sensory and motor blockade was assessed every 5 min till 30 min and at 15 min interval thereafter. Mean sensory onset time in group A was 10.44 ± 5.7 min and in group B was 15.85 ± 6.55 min, which was statistically significant. Patients of group A had a mean motor onset time 14.35 ± 7.8 min and patients of group B had a mean motor onset time 18.55 ± 7.64 min, the difference being statistically significant. Mean duration of sensory block in group A was 484.15 ± 63.4 min and in group B was 390.85 ± 72.65 min, which was statistically significant. Patients in group A had a mean duration of motor block 550 +60.3 min and patients in group B had a mean duration of motor block 430.45+68.7 min, which was statistically significant. In conclusion, the addition of clonidine to ropivacaine, for brachial plexus blockade, increases the onset and duration of motor and sensory block.