Supraclavicular Brachial Plexus Block With or Without Dexamethasone as an adjuvant to Lignocaine + Adrenaline : A Comparative Study

Dr Dimple K Pandya; Dr Sangita N Parikh; Dr Rebecca Jacob; Dr Krina Patel; Dr Vikassingh Rajput; Dr Krupalben Patel

Volume : VIII, Issue : XII, December - 2019

Supraclavicular Brachial Plexus Block With or Without Dexamethasone as an adjuvant to Lignocaine + Adrenaline : A Comparative Study

Dr Dimple K Pandya, Dr Sangita N Parikh, Dr Rebecca Jacob, Dr Krina Patel, Dr Vikassingh Rajput, Dr Krupalben Patel

Abstract :

INTRODUCTION : Brachial plexus blocks are a good alternative to general anesthesia in upper limb surgeries by producing complete muscular relaxation, maintaining hemodynamic stability and the associated sympathetic block. It also provides extended postoperative analgesia. Different adjuvants have been described in literature to hasten the onset and prolong the duration of the block. The present study was conducted to study the effect of adding dexamethasone as an adjuvant to Lignocaine + Adrenaline 1.5% in USG guided supraclavicular Brachial plexus block. AIM : To study the effect of dexamethasone on the onset and duration of Supraclavicular achial plexus block when used as an adjuvant to Lignocaine + adrenaline 1.5%. MATERIALS and METHODS : Total 50 patient of either sex aged between 18 to 60 years with American society of anesthesiology grading of I &II, scheduled for elective or emergency orthopedic surgery of upper limb below the shoulder. Patients were randomly divided in two groups; i.e. Group A and Group B. Group A received– Injection Lignocaine + Adrenaline 1.5% 15 ml. Group B received– Injection Lignocaine + Adrenaline 1.5% 15 ml + Injection Dexamethasone 2 ml (8 mg). RESULT : The results showed that the onset of sensory and motor blockade was significantly faster in group B and the duration of the sensory and motor blockade was significantly longer in group B. CONCLUSION : To conclude, the addition of 8mg of dexamethasone to Lignocaine + adrenaline 1.5% effectively and safely fastens the onset of sensory and motor blockade, increases the duration of sensory and motor blockade and decreases need of postoperative analgesia with hemodynamic stability