DEXMEDETOMIDINE AN ADJUVANT TO LEVOBUPIVACAINE IN SUPRACLAVICULAR BRACHIAL PLEXUS BLOCK: A PROSPECTIVE RANDOMIZED CONTROL STUDY

Abstract

Various α2-adrenergic agonists and other adjuvants are used with local anesthetics to prolong the duration of regional anesthesia. This study evaluated the effect of adding dexmedetomidine to 0.5% levobupivacaine for ultrasound-guided supraclavicular brachial plexus block, focusing on the duration of sensory and motor blockade and postoperative analgesia. Materials and methodology: Sixty patients scheduled for elective forearm and hand surgery were randomly allocated into two equal groups (n=30 each). All patients received an ultrasound-guided supraclavicular brachial plexus block. Group L received 20 mL of 0.5% levobupivacaine with 1 mL of isotonic saline, whereas Group LD received 20 mL of 0.5% levobupivacaine with 1 mL containing 100 μg of dexmedetomidine. The durations of sensory and motor blockade and the time to first rescue analgesic requirement were recorded and compared between the groups. Results: The durations of sensory and motor blockade were significantly longer in Group LD than in Group L (P<0.01). The duration of postoperative analgesia, assessed by the time to first rescue analgesic requirement, was also significantly longer in Group LD compared with Group L (P<0.05). Conclusion: The addition of 100 μg dexmedetomidine to 0.5% levobupivacaine for ultrasound-guided supraclavicular brachial plexus block significantly prolongs sensory and motor blockade and extends the duration of postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing elective forearm and hand surgery