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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.21088/ijaa.2349.8471.4417.3

Abstract

Background: Regional block has evolved with passage of time from being a blind process to the use of ultrasound giving an “eye” to the process. Evolution of technology and pharmacology has helped anesthesiologist in many ways. 2 receptor agonist has been used since long for precisely controlling characterstics of peripheral nerve blocks. This study was aimed to compare the efficacy of dexmedetomidineand clonidineas an adjuvant to local anesthethic in USG guided supraclavicular brachial plexus block. Methods: Our study included 80 ASA Grade I & II patients, scheduled for various upper limb orthopaedic surgeries and were randomly allocated into Groups RC & Group RD. Group RC received Ropivicaine 0.5% (30 cc) + Clonidine 1µg/kg and group RD received Ropivicaine 0.5% (30 cc) + Dexmedetomidine 1µg/ kg. Blockcharacterstics, duration of analgesia and any complications encountered were compared. Results: Mean onset of sensory block in group RD and group RC was 7.525 ± 0.640 and 8.03± 0.77 minutes respectively. The mean onset of motor block in group RD was 13.97± 1.0 minutes as compared to group RC 14.5± 1.04 minutes. Mean duration of analgesia in group RD was 444.5± 50.12 minutes compared to 303.5± 36.07minutes in Group RC. Conclusion: Dexmedetomidineis more efficacious than clonidine as an adjunct to ropivacaine in supraclavicular brachial plexus block due to its more precise control of block characterstics with prolonged duration of analgesia postoperatively.

Keywords : Dexmedetomidine; Clonidine; Ropivacaine; Ultrasound; Brachial Plexus Block. 

Corresponding Author : Kunal Singh, Assistant Professor, Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Shri Guru Ram RaiInstitute of Medical & Health Sciences, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248001, India.