EFFICACY OF DEXAMETHASONE AS AN ADJUVANT TOBUPIVACAINE IN SUPRA CLAVICULAR BRACHIAL PLEXUS BLOCK:A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Aim:To compare the efficacy of Dexamethasone when combined with Bupivacaine to Bupivacaine alone in terms of their analgesic efficacy and onset time of sensory and motor blockades for procedures involving the upper limb in Supraclavicular Brachial Plexus Block. Introduction: The rise in pain therapy, the superiority of regional anaesthesia in urgent procedures, and the growing significance of outpatient surgery in anaesthesiology require a specialised focus on peripheral nerve blocks. In the case of upper limb procedures, the elected choice during regional anaesthesia is the blocking of the supraclavicular brachial plexus. Materials and methods: It is a randomised controlled trial the study was undertaken in patients posted for elective and emergency upper limb surgeries. 100 patients aged 20 to 60 years with ASA classes 1 and 2.The participants were assigned to two groups by a random process. Group A –Was given Bupivacaine alone. Group B – Was given Bupivacaine along with Dexamethasone. Results: Group B patients had a prolonged duration of analgesia and premature initiation of both sensory and motor paralysis. Discussion: The addition of Dexamethasone 8mg along with 0.5% Bupivacaine in the Supra clavicular brachial plexus block extends the length of pain relief and provides the premature beginningof both sensory and motor blockades, reducing the requirement of rescue pain relievers. Conclusion: The addition of Dexamethasone 8mg along with 0.5% Bupivacaine in Supra clavicular brachial plexus block provides early onset time of both sensory and motor blockades and prolongs the duration of analgesia.