A Prospective, Randomized, Comparative Study between Dexmedetomidine and Buprenorphine as an Adjuvant to Ropivacaine in Ultrasound-guided Supraclavicular Brachial Plexus Block for Upper Limb Orthopaedic Surgeries

Introduction: Supraclavicular approaches serve as a common method for administering regional anesthesia in upper limb procedures. In improving the impact with a length of pain relief, medical professionals frequently include additional substances such as dexmedetomidine, buprenorphine, dexamethasone, clonidine, sodium bicarbonate, and tramadol alongside local anesthetics. The intent of this study was to evaluate its impact of incorporating buprenorphine and dexmedetomidine into ropivacaine 0.5%. Materials and Methods: The trial of 90 patients between the ages of 18 and 60, who were identified as American Society of Anesthesiologists Grade 1 and 2, and scheduled upper limb surgery using the supraclavicular approach, were included. They were assigned into distinct groups, each of the groups consisting of thirty individuals. Group R was administered anesthesia consisting of 25 ml of ropivacaine 0.5% along with 1 ml of saline. Group B was administered anesthetics containing ropivacaine 0.5% and buprenorphine, which was diluted in saline. Group D was administered a solution containing ropivacaine 0.5% and dexmedetomidine, which was diluted in saline. Results: Group D had an earlier sensory blockade onset (8.25 min) compared to Group B (9.64 min) and Group R (12.89 min). Group D demonstrated a notably quicker motor blockade onset (9.21 min) in contrast to Group B (12.07 min) and Group R (15.03 min). In contrast with the other groups, Group D exhibited a more longer time frame of both sensory and motor blockades and also an extended period of anesthesia after the surgery. Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine was a more effective adjuvant over buprenorphine in the brachial plexus blocks. This resulted in significantly lower postoperative pain scores at 407.67 min and 612.32 min for the plain ropivacaine and buprenorphine groups, respectively.