Dexmedetomidine and clonidine (?2 agonist drugs) as an adjuvant to local anesthesia in supraclavicular brachial plexus block: A comparative randomized double-blind prospective study

N. V. K Mallik; L Nageswara Rao; Srinivasa Raju; V Manoj kumar

Volume : V, Issue : III, March - 2016

Dexmedetomidine and clonidine (?2 agonist drugs) as an adjuvant to local anesthesia in supraclavicular brachial plexus block: A comparative randomized double-blind prospective study

N. V. K Mallik, L Nageswara Rao, Srinivasa Raju, V Manoj Kumar

Abstract :

Background and Objectives: Alpha-2 agonists are mixed with local anesthetic agents to extend the duration of spinal, extradural and peripheral nerve blocks. We compared clonidine and Dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to levobupivacaine in supraclavicular achial plexus block with respect to onset and duration of sensory and motor block and duration of analgesia. Methods: Sixty ASA I and II patients scheduled for elective upper limb surgeries under supraclavicular achial plexus block were divided into two equal groups in a randomized, double-blinded fashion. Group A received clonidine 1 μg/kg and Group B received dexmedetomidine 1 μg/kg added to levobupivacaine 0.25% (35 cc). Onset and recovery time of sensory and motor block, duration of analgesia and quality of block were studied in both the groups. Results: Duration of sensory block and motor block was 292.67�59.13 and 227.00�48.36 min, respectively, in Group A, while it was 472.24�90.06 and 413.97�87.13 min, respectively, in Group B. There was no statistically significant difference in onset of sensory and motor block between the two groups. The number of patients achieving grade IV quality (excellent) of block was higher in Group B (80%) as compared with Group A (40%) (P<0.05).Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine when added to levobupivacaine in supraclavicular achial plexus block enhanced the duration of sensory and motor block. The time for rescue analgesia was prolonged in patients receiving dexmedetomidine. It also enhanced the quality of block as compared with clonidine.