Comparative Evaluation Of The Efficacy Of Dexmedetomidine And Dexamethasone As An Adjuvant To Combination Of Levobupivacaine And Lignocaine In Supraclavicular Brachial Plexus Block Using Nerve Stimulator

Comparative Evaluation Of The Efficacy Of Dexmedetomidine And Dexamethasone

Abstract

Background: Adjuvants when added to local anaesthetics hasten the onset and prolong the duration and quality of neuraxial and peripheral nerve blocks. In this prospective, observational, comparative study we compared dexmedetomidine and dexamethasone as an adjuvant to combination of levobupivacaine and lignocaine in supraclavicular brachial plexus block with respect to onset and duration of sensory and motor block, duration of analgesia and total requirement of rescue analgesics in first 24 hours. Material and Methods: 60 patients of ASA class I and II in the age group of 18 to 70 years divided in to 2 equal groups 1 and 2.Group 1 received dexmedetomidine 50μg and group 2 received dexamethasone 8mg along with levobupivacaine (0.5%) and lignocaine (2%). Results: Onset of sensory and motor blockade was14.25±4.01 min and 16.85±4.74min in group 1 and 16.11±5.49min and 20.37±4.89 in group 2.Onset of sensory blockade was statistically not significant (p>0.05) while onset of motor blockade was statistically highly significant(p<0.001) between two groups. Duration of sensory and motor blockade was 586.66±88.44min and 488.88±102.89min in group 1 and 617.77±62.85min and 528.88±74.89min in group 2, respectively (p>0.05) Duration of post operative analgesia in group 1 was 1028.88±252.29 min while in group 2 it was 1278.29±137.70min (p<0.001). Conclusion: After comparing dexmedetomidine and dexamethasone we concluded that dexamethasone is better, safe and effective alternative to dexmedetomidine. [Bhajikhau K Natl J Integr Res Med, 2020; 11(2):101-106]