A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF DEXMEDITOMEDINE AND DEXAMETHASONE AS ADJUVANTS TO LOCAL ANESTHETICS IN BRACHIAL PLEXUS BLOCK FOR UPPER LIMB SURGERIES

Objective: To compare and evaluate the onset time and duration of sensory, motor block, and quality of intraoperative and postoperative analgesia of dexmedetomidine and dexamethasone as adjuvants to local anesthetics in brachial plexus block. Methods: This was a prospective comparative study conducted among 60 adult patients aged 18-60yrs belonging to asa 1& 2 posted for upper limb surgeries. 1. Group-a: 20ml of 2% lignocaine with adrenaline + 20ml of 0.5% bupivacaine+ 20mcgs of dexmeditomedine. 2. Group-b: 20ml of 2% lignocaine with adrenaline + 20ml of 0.5% bupivacaine+ 4mg dexamethasone. Results: The groups were similar in age, hemodynamic parameters like intra and post-operative heart rate, mean arterial pressure. In this study, the onset and duration of sensory and motor blockade were statistically shorter in the dexamethasone group when compared to the dexmedetomidine group. Conclusion: The present study concludes both dexmedetomidine and dexamethasone act as functional additives with dexmedetomidine having the advantage of conscious sedation and hemodynamic stability prolongs the duration of block whereas the onset of the block was shorter when dexamethasone was added.