Comparative Evaluation of Efficacy of Plain Xylocaine 0.5% (3mg/kg) with Xylocaine 0.5% (3mg/kg) + Buprenorphine (3?g/kg) in Intravenous Regional Anesthesia (Holme's Modification of Bier's Block)

Aim - To evaluate the usefulness of adding opioid analgesic in intravenous regional anesthesia for forearm and hand surgeries. Materials and methods - two groups were randomly assigned as group A& B, Each group consisting of 25 patients and surgery was done under intravenous regional anesthesia. The dose was given according to the following combinations - Group A Received xylocaine 0.5 % (3mg/kg) 0.6ml/kg& Group B Received xylocaine 0.5 % (3mg/kg) 0.6ml/kg with 3g /kg- Buprenorphine. Results We observed injection to analgesia time (onset of analgesia) as 5.40 min in Buprenorphine +Lignocaine (Group B) which was significantly less as compared to group A and duration of analgesia was also significantly more prolonged in group B 464.4 minutes (P- 59.705). The prolonged duration of analgesic could be attributed to the perineural effects of buprenorphine in group B. Conclusions It is concluded that the technique of intravenous regional anesthesia with addition of Buprenorphine to Lignocaine results in early onset of analgesia, prolonged residual analgesia and is free from any significant side effects.