A Comparative Study of Anaesthetic Properties of Bupivacaine Alone and in Combination with Dexmedetomidine for Supraclavicular Brachial Plexus Block in Patients Undergoing Upper Limb Surgeries

Background and Aims: Regional Anaesthesia Is A Recommended Technique For Upper And Lower Limb Surgeries With Better Postoperative Profile. In This Hospital Based Randomized Double Blind Interventional Study, We Compared The Effects Of Adding Dexmedetomidine To Bupivacaine In Supraclavicular Brachial Plexus Block. Onset of Sensory And Motor Block Along With Duration Of Analgesia Were The Primary End Points. Material and Methods: After Obtaining Ethical Committee Approval, A Hospital Based Randomized Double Blind Interventional Study Was Conducted On 60 Patients With ASA Grade 1 And 2 In The Age Group 20 To 50 Years, Posted For Upper Limb Surgeries. Divided Randomly Into Two Groups, Group A Will Receive 0.5% Bupivacaine 20 Ml (100 Mg) + 10.0 Ml Normal Saline (Total Volume 30 Ml) And Group B Will Receive 0.5% Bupivacaine 20 Ml (100 Mg) + 1 Ml (100�g) Dexmedetomidine Diluted To 10 Ml With Normal Saline (Total Volume 30 Ml) For Supraclavicular Brachial Plexus Block. Onset of Sensory And Motor Block Along With Duration Of Analgesia And Adverse Effects Monitored, Hemodynamic Parameters Like Heart Rate (HR), Systolic Arterial Blood Pressure (SBP) And Diastolic Arterial Blood Pressure (DBP) Were Also Monitored. Results: Demographic Data And Surgical Characteristics Were Comparable In Both Groups. The Onset Time Of Sensory And Motor Blocks Were Significantly Shorter In Group B Than Group A ( Pless than 0.001), Duration Of Analgesia Was Significantly Longer In B Groups Than Group A (Pless than0.001). Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine Added As An Adjuvant To Bupivacaine For Supraclavicular Brachial Plexus Block Significantly Shortens The Onset Time And Prolongs The Duration Of Analgesia.