TITLE:
Comparing the Efficacy of Dexmedetomidine When Used as an Adjuvant to Bupivacaine in Supraclavicular Brachial Plexus Blocks under Ultrasound-Guided
AUTHORS:
Elsayed Mohamed Abdelzaam
KEYWORDS:
Dexmedetomidine, Bupivacaine, Supraclavicular Brachial Plexus Blocks, Ultrasound-Guided
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Anesthesiology,
Vol.9 No.5,
May
22,
2019
ABSTRACT: Background: Ultrasound-guided for regional anesthesia offers many potential benefits in the emergency setting. Analgesia can be explicitly targeted to the region of pain and provide relief for many hours and decrease needing to the large volume of local anesthetic. The aim of the work: Comparing the efficacy of dexmedetomidine when used as an adjuvant to bupivacaine in supraclavicular brachial plexus blocks on the onset of sensory, motor blockade and postoperative analgesia. Patients and methods: This prospective, randomized, single-blind clinical study conducted on 60 patients underwent upper limb surgery done by ultrasound-guided supraclavicular brachial plexus block; these patients allocated into two equal groups: Group I (control) received 20 ccs (19 cc bupivacaine 0.5% + 1 cc saline), Group II received 20 cc (19 cc bupivacaine 0.5% + 1 cc volume of Dexmedetomidine 1 ug/kg). Results: Demographic data and surgical characteristics were comparable in both groups. The onset times for sensory and motor blocks were significantly shorter in Group II than Group I (P Conclusion: We recommend adding Dexmedetomidine to local anesthetics in peripheral nerve blocks to take advantage of the prolonged time of both sensory and motor blocks and prolonged postoperative analgesia.