Effect of Dexamethasone added to lignocaine and Bupivacaine mixture for Supraclavicular Brachial Plexus Block. A Prospective randomized, double blind study.

Dr Basharat Ahad; Dr Shiekh Abdul Manan; Dr  Riyaz Ahmed Dagloo; Dr Abdul Hameed

Volume : VII, Issue : VIII, August - 2017

Effect of Dexamethasone added to lignocaine and Bupivacaine mixture for Supraclavicular Brachial Plexus Block. A Prospective randomized, double blind study.

Dr Basharat Ahad, Dr Shiekh Abdul Manan, Dr Riyaz Ahmed Dagloo, Dr Abdul Hameed

Abstract :

Background

Different substances have been utilized to alter the various characteristics of achial plexus block. This study was done to access the effects of dexamethasone as an adjuvant to lidocaine and bupivacaine mixture on different characteristics of supraclavicular achial plexus block.

Materials and methods

A total of 60 Patients were included in the study with ASA physical status of I and II, aged between 18–65 years and scheduled for elective or emergency orthopedic surgery. Patients were allocated randomly in 2 groups of 30 patients each. Group –1(Control) patients received mixture of 19ml lidocaine 1.5%, 19 ml bupivacaine 0.5% and 2ml normal saline(NS) ,while Group–2 (Cases) patients received same mixture of local anaesthetics but 2ml of NS were replaced with dexamethasone 2ml (8mg). The block was performed using a classic paraesthesia technique. Onset and duration of sensory and motor blockade were assessed at pre determined intervals while analgesia was accessed by VAS.

Results

The onset time of sensory and motor block in both groups was comparable statistically insignificant. Duration of sensory and motor block, and duration of Analgesia was moderately longer in Group2 and this difference was also statistically significant. The VAS Scores and motor block scores as assessed by Lovett rating score at different time intervals at 10, 20,30,60,90,120,150,and 180 min were significantly lower in Group2 than in Group 1(P<0.05) .

Conclusion

In conclusion, addition of dexamethasone 8mg to lidocaine 1.5% and bupuvacaine 0.5% mixture in supraclavicular block results in prolonged duration of sensory and motor block and it improves quality of analgesia without affecting its onset.