COMPARISON OF ANAESTHETIC EFFECT OF PLAIN ROPIVACAINE VERSUS DEXMEDETOMIDINE AS AN ADJUVANT TO ROPIVACAINE IN USG GUIDED SUPRACLAVICULAR BLOCK FOR UPPER LIMB SURGERIES.

INTRODUCTION: Perioperative pain management is very important to achieve patient satisfaction. The ultrasound-guided brachial plexus blocks like inter scalene block, supra and infra clavicular blocks have evolved as safe alternative techniques to general anaesthesia in upper limb surgeries. Long acting local anaesthetic agents like ropivacaine along with adjuvants such as dexmedetomdine have been routinely used in supraclavicular brachial plexus block. MATERIAL & METHODS: Sixty adult patients scheduled for upper limb surgeries were randomised into group A and Group B of 30 patients each. Patients in group A received 0.5% Ropivacaine 20ml + 5 ml normal saline and group B received 0.5% ropivacaine 20ml + 0.5ml (50µg) dexmedetomidine + 4.5ml normal saline. Primary objective of our study was to compare the groups in terms of quality of block, onset and duration of sensory and motor block and post-operative pain management. Secondary objective was to compare the intraoperative hemodynamic changes and post operative adverse effects. RESULTS: Time taken in the onset of the sensory as well as motor block in both the groups was statistically significantly more in the group A compared to the group B. The duration of the sensory as well as the motor block was much higher in group B compared to group A with a statistically significant difference. Total duration of analgesia was slightly higher in group A compared to group B. The mean NRS was significantly lower in group B compared to group A at all time intervals till 24 hrs. No major side effects were observed with study drugs. CONCLUSION: The study confirmed that dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to ropivacaine in supraclavicular brachial plexus block hastens the onset of the sensory as well as motor block and prolongs the duration of the sensory as well as the motor block in the upper limb surgeries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]