Dexmedetomidine as an Adjuvant to Bupivacaine in Brachial Plexus Block by Supraclavicular Approach

BACKGROUND AND AIMS The present study aimed at determining the efficacy of dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to bupivacaine with respect to speed of onset of sensory and motor blockade. METHODOLOGY 60 patients aged between 18-60 years were randomized and divided into two equal groups. Group I received 0.5 % bupivacaine (15ml) + 2 % lignocaine with adrenaline (15ml) + normal saline (0.5ml) while Group II received 0.5 % bupivacaine (15ml) + 2 % lignocaine with adrenaline (15ml) + Dexmedetomidine (1micro gram /kg). Onset of action of Sensory blockade and motor blockade were noted as the time interval between administration of local anesthetic solution to loss of pin prick sensation and the time interval between administration of local anesthetic solution to loss of movements respectively. RESULTS The groups were comparable with respect to their age, sex& weight because there was no statistical significant difference among the groups (p greater than 0.05). The mean onset time of sensory blockade was faster in group II (9.9+2.34) compared to that in group I (17.7+2.35). This difference was statistically highly significant (P