A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF DEXMEDETOMIDINE AND CLONIDINE AS AN ADJUVANT TO ROPIVACAINE IN SUPRACLAVICULAR BRACHIAL PLEXUS BLOCK

Abstract

Objectives: Ultrasound-guided supraclavicular brachial plexus block is the most commonly performed approach for the upper limb surgeries and perioperative pain relief. This study was conducted to compare the post-operative analgesic efficacy of dexmedetomidine and clonidine as an adjuvant to ropivacaine in supraclavicular brachial plexus block in patients undergoing upper limb surgeries. Methods: This was a prospective, randomized, and double-blinded comparative research that included 60 ASA PS I and II patients who were scheduled for the upper limb surgery. The patients were randomized into two groups, namely, Group C and Group D, with 30 patients each. The patients in Group D were given USG-guided supraclavicular brachial plexus block with 30 ml of 0.5% ropivacaine and dexmedetomidine 1 μg/kg and patients in Group C received 30 ml of 0.5% ropivacaine and clonidine 1 μg/kg. The patients were monitored for post-operative and interpreted by visual analog score and duration of analgesia. The Student’s independent t-test was employed for comparing continuous variables. Chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test, whichever is appropriate, was applied for comparing categorical variables. Results: The mean duration of analgesia was longer and the mean consumption of rescue analgesics was lower in Group D as compared to Group C. No significant post-operative complications or local side effects related to the block were noted. Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine prolongs the duration of sensory and motor block as well as the duration of post-operative analgesia as compared to clonidine when used as an adjuvant to ropivacaine in supraclavicular brachial plexus block.