Assessment of analgesic efficacy of dexmedetomidine as an adjunct to local anesthetics in supraclavicular brachial plexus block

Abstract

Background: The supraclavicular brachial plexus block may be used for surgical anesthesia alone or 
in conjunction with general anesthesia. The present study was conducted to assess analgesic efficacy 
of dexmedetomidine as an adjunct to local anesthetics in supraclavicular brachial plexus block. 
Materials & Methods: 70 patients undergoing upper limb and hand surgeries of both genders were 
divided into 2 groups. Group I received equal volumes of 0.75% ropivacaine and 2% lidocaine with 
adrenaline and group II received 1 μg/kg dexmedetomidine along with equal volumes of 0.75% 
ropivacaine and 2% lidocaine with adrenaline. Patients were observed for hemodynamic stability, 
onset and duration of sensory and motor blockade, duration of analgesia, postoperative pain, and 
adverse effects. 
Results: Group I had 20 males and 15 females and group II had 18 males and 17 females. The mean 
duration of surgery (min) was 82.5 and 88.5, onset of sensory block (min) was 10.2 
and 
10.0, 
onset of motor block (min) was 15.4 and 11.3, duration of sensory block (hours) was 11.4 and 15.7, 
duration of motor block (hours) was 10.6 and 13.9, duration of analgesia (hours) was 12.3 and 17.5 
and block performance time (min) was 5.6 and 5.2 in group I and group II respectively. The 
difference was significant (P< 0.05).