Abstract

COMPARISON OF DEXAMETHASONE WITH DEXMEDETOMIDINE AS AN ADJUNCT TO BRACHIAL PLEXUS BLOCK

Dr. Bharathi S.*, Dr. Nagendra B.V., Dr. Harshvardhan S. Deusecar

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The aim of my study was to assess brachial plexus block duration with different adjuvants, analgesic consumption, time from block insertion until first administration of analgesic, visual analogue scores for assessment of pain, and block-related and analgesia related complications. Materials and Methodology: 90 patients belonging to ASA 1-3 status of age group between 20-75 yrs scheduled for elective upper limb surgeries were selected for this prospective randomized double blinded comparative study. They were randomly divided into two:- ● Group A (dexamethasone group):- 20ml of 0.25%bupivacaine with 8 mg of dexamethasone. ● Group B (dexmedetomidine group):- 20ml of 0.25%bupivacaine with 50mcg of dexmedetomidine. Onset and duration of sensory and motor blockade, haemodynamic parameters, total duration of post-operative analgesia for 24hrs using VAS score, time of first analgesic requirement and side effects were recorded. Results: There were no significant difference in onset of block between two groups, however duration of motor block & sensory block was prolonged in group A compared to group B, Postoperative opioid analgesic requirement was significantly lower in group A compared to group B. There were no major differences in postoperative vomiting and requirement of backup analgesic in both the groups. Conclusion: Adiition of both dexamethasone and dexmedetomidine significantly prolong the duration of single injection supraclavicular brachial plexus block when used as an adjunct but prolongation was significantly more with dexamethasone when compared to dexmedetomidine.

Keywords: Dexamethasone, Dexmedetomidine, Interscalene brachial plexus block.