Why the study?
The study was conducted to compare the efficacy of fentanyl versus dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to bupivacaine for supraclavicular brachial plexus block in upper extremity surgeries.
Does dexmedetomidine compared to fentanyl as an adjuvant to bupivacaine improve the onset and duration of supraclavicular brachial plexus block in patients undergoing upper limb surgeries?
Comparison
Bupivacaine with dexmedetomidine vs bupivacaine with fentanyl
Design
Randomized double-blind prospective comparative study
Key result
Dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to bupivacaine significantly shortened the onset of sensory blockade compared to fentanyl (8.53 vs 14.80 min; P=0.0001) in patients undergoing upper limb surgeries.
Authors
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Ultrasound may improve supraclavicular block safety; leaves open need for larger RCTs before changing practice.
RCT (n=60)
Double-blind
Randomized
Does dexmedetomidine compared to fentanyl as an adjuvant to bupivacaine improve the onset and duration of supraclavicular brachial plexus block in patients undergoing upper limb surgeries?
Absolute Event Rate: 8.53% vs 14.8%
p-value: p=0.0001
Dexmedetomidine is superior to fentanyl as an adjuvant to bupivacaine in shortening the onset and prolonging the duration of supraclavicular brachial plexus block for upper limb surgeries.
Singh et al. (2023) conducted an RCT in Upper limb surgeries (n=60). Dexmedetomidine vs. Fentanyl (1 mcg/kg) was evaluated on Onset of sensory blockade (minutes) (p=0.0001). Dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to bupivacaine significantly shortened the onset of sensory blockade compared to fentanyl (8.53 vs 14.80 min; P=0.0001) in patients undergoing upper limb surgeries.