Yadhuraj M. K 1 , Somasekharam P 2 , Vinay D. M3 , Akhil Rao 4 , Sanjay K. P 5
BACKGROUND Supraclavicular brachial plexus block provides safe, effective, low cost anaesthesia with excellent postoperative analgesia. The current study was an attempt to compare ropivacaine 0.75% with ropivacaine 0.75% plus buprenorphine 3 mcg/kg in supraclavicular brachial plexus block with respect to onset time and duration of sensory and motor blockade, duration of analgesia and side effects. MATERIALS AND METHODS Present study was carried out in the Department of Anaesthesiology, MVJ Medical College and RH, Hoskote, Bangalore, from September 2014 to July 2016. Each patient was randomly allocated to one of the two groups of 30 patients each. Group R (0.75% plain ropivacaine) will receive 3 mg/kg of plain ropivacaine as a 0.75% solution to a total volume of 30 mL by diluting with normal saline. Group B (0.75% ropivacaine with opioid additive buprenorphine) will receive 3 micrograms/kg of buprenorphine with 3 mg/kg of ropivacaine as a 0.75% solution to a volume of 30 mL by diluting with normal saline. Parameters- The effect was studied with respect to onset time and duration of sensory and motor blockade, duration of analgesia and side effects. RESULTS Onset of sensory block in our study, we found that there was no significant changes in the onset of sensory blockade in group R (5.2 ± 0.3 mins.) compared to group B (5.1 ± 0.2 mins.) with a ‘p’ value of 0.134. Onset of motor block in our study, we found that there was no significant changes in the onset of motor blockade in group R (11 ± 2.10 mins.) compared to group B (10.8 ± 1.9 mins.) with a ‘p’ value of 0.70. Duration of sensory block in our study, we found that there was significant increase in the duration of sensory blockade in group B (11.8 ± 1.56 hrs.) compared to group R (9.7 ± 1.4) with a ‘p’ value <0.001. Duration of motor block in our study, we found that there was a significant increase in the duration of motor blockade in group B (11.12 =/- 1.64 hrs.) compared to group R (8.3 =/- 1.76 hrs.) with a ‘p’ value <0.001. Duration of analgesia in our study, we found that the time for demand of analgesics was significantly prolonged in group B, i.e. 17.45 ± 3.8 hrs. compared to group R, i.e. 10.7 ± 1.94. This difference was statistically significant with a ‘p’ value <0.001. CONCLUSION The addition of buprenorphine to ropivacaine solution for a brachial plexus block can modify the action of the local anaesthetic solution by its action. The dosage of 3 mcg/kg body weight used in our study significantly increased the duration of analgesia. There were no clinically significant side effects noted
