A Comparative Study of Ropivacaine Versus Ropivacaine With Dexmedetomidine as an Adjuvant in Supraclavicular Brachial Plexus Block

BACKGROUND : Supraclavicular approach to brachial plexus block is a versatile and reliable regional anesthesia technique and a suitable alternative to general anesthesia for upper limb surgical procedures. Ropivacaine , a long acting local anesthetic, with less tendency for neurotoxicity and cardiotoxicity is a great local anesthetic for the procedure. Use of adjuvant Dexmedetomidine , a potent alpha 2 adrenoreceptor agonist improves the quality of anesthesia as well as intra-operative and post-operative analgesia while maintaining haemodynamic stability, arousable sedation and mild respiratory depression. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty patients aged between 18 and 60 years with ASA grade I or II posted for elective upper limb surgeries were included in the study and were randomly divided into 2 groups with forty patients in each. Group A received 0.5% ropivacaine (31 mL) and Group B received 0.5% ropivacaine + dexmedetomidine 1microgram/kg (31mL). Both groups were compared for onset time and duration of sensory blockade, onset time and duration of motor blockade , total duration of analgesia and associated side effects. CONCLUSION : Dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to ropivacaine in the supraclavicular brachial plexus block for upper limb surgeries , significantly shortens the onset time and prolongs the duration of sensory and motor blocks, with longer duration of post-operative analgesia , with associated significant sedation and a few manageable side effects like bradycardia and hypotension.