Elizabath Wilson, Savitri Durgaprasad Kabade, Sijo Sebastian
BACKGROUND Alpha 2 agonists as adjuvants to local anaesthetics in brachial plexus blocks augment the local anaesthetic effects and reduces the analgesic requirements postoperatively. This study was designed to evaluate the analgesic effects of clonidine as an adjuvant to levobupivacaine in supraclavicular brachial plexus (SCBP) block. MATERIALS AND METHODS In a prospective randomized double-blind study, sixty patients of 20 to 60 years, American Society of Anaesthesiologists Physical Status (ASA PS) I and II scheduled for elective upper limb surgeries were randomly divided into two groups of 30 each. SCBP block was performed using peripheral nerve stimulator, Group C received 30 ml of 0.5% Levobupivacaine + 0.5 ml (50 mcg) Clonidine and Group L received 30 ml of 0.5% Levobupivacaine + 0.5 ml of Normal saline. Parameters observed were time of onset, duration of sensory and motor blockade, duration of analgesia, intraoperative haemodynamics and adverse effects. Statistical Analysis- Data analysis was done using SPSS 15.0. Variables were compared using Pearson’s Chi-square test for nonparametric data and Student’s t test for parametric data. Statistical significance was defined as P<0.05. RESULTS Duration of sensory and motor block were longer in Group C as compared to Group L (P<0.01). Duration of analgesia was significantly longer in Group C as compared to Group L (P<0.01). No significant difference was observed in haemodynamics, side-effects and complications in either groups. CONCLUSION The addition of clonidine to levobupivacaine in SCBP block leads to faster onset, prolongs the duration of sensory and motor block and provides adequate post-operative analgesia without any adverse effects.
