A Comparative Study of Efficacy and Post–Operative Analgesia of Clonidine as an  Adjuvant to Brachial Block (Axillary Approach)

Dr. Upasna V. Bhatia; Dr. Sumit L. Parmar; Dr. Sarav Patel

Volume : II, Issue : II, February - 2013

A Comparative Study of Efficacy and Post–Operative Analgesia of Clonidine as an Adjuvant to Brachial Block (Axillary Approach)

Dr. Upasna V. Bhatia, Dr. Sumit L. Parmar, Dr. Sarav Patel

Abstract :

INTRODUCTION- The addition of clonidine to local anesthetic solutions improves peripheral nerve blocks by reducing the onset time, improving the efficacy of the block during surgery and extending postoperative analgesia. With this background, we undertook this study to determine the analgesic efficiency of clonidine in two different doses(0.5 �g/kg and 1 �g/kg ) in axillary achial plexus block. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES- 1) To compare onset and duration of sensory and motor block. 2) Sedation score3) Vital parameters4) Duration of post-operative analgesia and complications. MATERIAL AND METHOD- The present study was conducted in 60 patients undergoing upper limb surgeries(both elective and emergency) having ASA grade-1 and 2 physical status. The patients were randomly allocated into 3 groups A,B and C each having 20 patients. Base line vitals like HR, BP, ECG, Spo2 were noted. Sensory block was assessed by pin prick method.motor block was assessed by Hallmen scale. Sedation score by Chenik -sedation score. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION- Our study suggests that a small dose of clonidine produced late sensory and motor onset with enhancement of the quality of the peripheral block from local anesthetics and limits it�s α-2 side effect to sedation. The addition of clonidine produces longer analgesia. Thus we recommend clonidine in 1 �g/kg dose as an adjuvant in axillary achial plexus block for prolongation of post operative analgesia.