Tramadol as an adjunct for levobupivacaine in axillary plexus blockade: A prospective, randomized, double-blind study

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the effect of tramadol addition to levobupivacaine in axillary plexus blockade in a prospective, randomized double-blind study. Materials and methods: A total of 60 patients scheduled to undergo hand and forearm surgery under axillary plexus blockade were randomly divided into 2 groups. Group L received 36 mL of racemic 0.5% levobupivacaine with 2 mL of saline, whereas Group LT received 2 mL (100 mg) of tramadol instead of saline. After routine monitorization, axillary block was performed with a multistimulation technique using a nerve stimulator. Motor (finger, wrist, and elbow movements) and sensory (pinprick sensation for the cutaneous supply) block characteristics for radial, median, ulnar, and musculocutaneous nerves were determined every 5 min. Postoperative motor and sensory block duration, analgesic consumption, and numeric rating scale (NRS) scores were also recorded. Results: In each group, 2 patients had block failures. The data for the remaining 56 patients were analyzed. There were no significant differences between the study groups according to motor and sensory block characteristics of 4 nerves, block durations, analgesic consumption, and NRS scores. Conclusion: The addition of 100 mg of tramadol to 0.5% levobupivacaine for axillary brachial plexus blockade neither improved the intraoperative block quality nor prolonged the duration of postoperative analgesia. © TÜBITAK.