Dexmedetomidineas an adjuvant to Ropivacaine for Supraclavicular Brachial Plexus Block

The study was done to evaluate the effect of two different doses of dexmedetomidine with ropivacainein classical supraclavicular brachial plexus blockade (posterolateral to subclavian artery). After randomization, 40 patients were divided into group A and group B having 20 patients each. In group A, 25 ml of ropivacaine (0.75%) with 25 microgram of dexmedotmidine & in group B, 50 microgram of dexmedotmidine with 25 ml of ropivacaine (0.75%) was given. Results showed that the mean sensory onset time in group A was 7.25 ± 5.95 min. & in group B was 8 ± 5.71 min. Mean motor block onset time in group A was 18.5 ± 5.15 min. in group B, 14.5 ± 5.35 MIN. effective analgesia duration in group A was 10.3±2.93 hour, and in a group B, 15.4 ±5.44 hour. Dexmedetomidine 25 microgram is a better combination since onset of sensory block is equally fast as with 50 microgram and negligible incidence of hypotension and bradycardia and nausea as compared to addition of 50 microgram.