To study the effect of addition of clonidine as an adjuvant to bupivacaine for increasing the duration of axillary brachial plexus block: a randomized controlled trial

Dr Vipul Krishen Sharma; Dr Gunjan Singh; Dr AK Adya; Dr AK Singh; Dr VB Sharma

Volume : VIII, Issue : IV, April - 2019

To study the effect of addition of clonidine as an adjuvant to bupivacaine for increasing the duration of axillary brachial plexus block: a randomized controlled trial

Dr Vipul Krishen Sharma, Dr Gunjan Singh, Dr Ak Adya, Dr Ak Singh, Dr Vb Sharma

Abstract :

Introduction : Clonidine enhance central & peripheral neural blockade when added to local anaesthetics. Objective is to compare the efficacy of addition of clonidine to bupivacaine with bupivacaine alone used in axillary achial plexus block for upper limb surgeries in terms of prolonging the duration of analgesia as a primary outcome. This study comprised of 60 patients of both sex in the age group 20–60years weighing 45–70kgs. Patients were randomly assigned into two groups Group B and BC respectively Axillary perivascular block was given with bupivacaine dosage @2mg/kg and addition of Clonidine as 1.5 µg/kg to bupivacaine using nerve muscle stimulator. The criterion of sensory block was determined by pin prick test.Motor block after the injection was calculated by the help of modified Lovet rating scale. Successful block criteria were confirmed on Vester Anderson criteria. Sensory and motor block determined immediately and at 5, 10, 30, 60, 120, 180, 240, 360, and 480 min after completion of the injection. Cut off time was taken as 1500min . In our study we found an enhancement of perioperative analgesia and prolonged duration of recovery of sensation in the clonidine group, well beyond the pharmacological effect of bupivacaine alone.