Efficacy of Dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to 0.5% Ropivacaine in Supraclavicular Brachial Plexus Block for Postoperative Analgesia

The supraclavicular technique was used by Kulenkampff in 1912 revealed that the nerves supplying the arm and the forearm are geographically grouped closely together in the brachial plexus and a single injection could provide analgesia for the whole limb. The supraclavicular route is easy to perform, small volume of local anaesthetic solution is required as three trunks are compactly arranged resulting in a rapid onset of reliable blockade. Amongst all local anesthetic agents used in brachial plexus block, Ropivacaine has less cardiovascular and central nervous system toxicity as compared to others and is used commonly in brachial plexus block. It was shown that Dexmedetomidine delays duration of post operative analgesia. In present study, an attempt was made to undertake the study of post operative analgesia by Ropivacaine with Dexmeditomidine as an adjuvant in supraclavicular brachial plexus block.