Sabir Hasnat1, Sohail Ahmad2, Ashutosh Kumar Jha3
BACKGROUND
Sensory and motor functions of peripheral nerve can be blocked by injecting local
anaesthetic around the group of nerves, which will stop the conduction of nerve
impulse. Peripheral nerve block is a well-accepted technique in anaesthesia care.
Brachial plexus block is also one of the reliable techniques in providing regional
anaesthesia for upper limb surgery.
METHODS
This was a prospective, double blinded, randomised comparative study which
included 40 patients of American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) grade I and
II of either sex of 20 - 65 years old age groups for upper limb surgery. Cases were
divided randomly into two groups: Group A: received levobupivacaine
hydrochloride 0.5 % 25 cc with dexmedetomidine injection. Group B: received
levobupivacaine hydrochloride 0.5 % 25 cc injection. Each individual was allocated
to respective group by computer generated randomisation chart. Both group A
and B were assessed for the onset of sensory & motor block, duration of
postoperative analgesia and duration of action.
RESULTS
In the present study, it was observed that the onset of sensory blockade (P <
0.001) & motor blockade (P < 0.001) was earlier in groups A with prolonged
duration of sensory & motor blockade (P < 0.001) as compared to group B. Group
A took longer time for first rescue analgesia post operatively compared to group
B, and the difference was found significant (P < 0.001). Both group A and group
B were comparable for systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and heart
rate.
CONCLUSIONS
The onset of sensory and motor blockade was early in 0.5 % levobupivacaine with
dexmedetomidine with prolonged duration of action and required lesser dose of
rescue analgesic in 0.5 % levobupivacaine with dexmedetomidine as compared to
0.5 % levobupivacaine in supraclavicular brachial plexus block.
