Veena Nadarajan1, Rajasekar Rengasamy2, Ejaselias B. P3, Prabhash Ranganathan4, Biby Mary Kuriakose5
BACKGROUND
Surgeries of upper limb are usually done under brachial plexus blockade of which supraclavicular approach is commonly used. Bupivacaine, lignocaine, and ropivacaine are commonly used local anaesthetic agents.
METHODS
The present study is a prospective observational study to evaluate the onset of sensory blockade, quality of motor blockade, duration of analgesia, and intraoperative side effects if any of bupivacaine and levobupivacaine in supraclavicular brachial plexus blockade. Study was conducted in ASA grade 1 and 2 patients posted for elective forearm orthopaedic surgeries. A sample size of 60 patients were randomly allocated into two groups. Supraclavicular brachial plexus block was given using a peripheral nerve stimulator.
RESULTS
They received 30 mL of 0.375% local anaesthetic. One group received bupivacaine and another group levobupivacaine. Onset of block, quality of motor block, duration of analgesia, and side effects of drugs were recorded and studied. Statistical analysis was done. Test of significance such as t test for qualitative variables and chi-square test for quantitative variables were done. We observed that the onset time, duration of analgesia, and quality of motor blockade of levobupivacaine were not significantly different from those of bupivacaine.
CONCLUSION
Based on this study, levobupivacaine can be recommended over bupivacaine for brachial plexus blocks because of its similar pharmacodynamics profile and decreased cardiotoxicity.
