Effect of Dexamethasone as an Adjuvant To 0.5% Bupivacaine in SupraclavicularBrachial Plexus Block- A Randomized Study.

Abstract

Background: Aims and Objectives: To study the effects of addition of Dexamethasone to Bupivacaine with respect to onset, duration of sensory and motor blockade, haemodynamic variables and rescue analgesics used in first 24 hours. Subjects and Methods: A prospective, randomized, study of 100 patients of ASA I &II, aged between 20-60years were included. Patients were randomized to two groups, 50 of bupivacaine group (B) and 50 of bupivacine and dexamethasone (BD). Brachial plexus block was performed via supracalvicular route using ultrasound machine. The onset of anesthesia, loss of sensory perception and temperature was recorded. The patients were also monitored for any side effects or complications. The data obtained was analyzed using (SPSS vs 18). Quantitative data were analyzed by using student 't' test, Qualitative by using Chi -Square test. p value of less than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: Demographics were comparable between the groups. The mean onset of sensory block [10.3 Vs 16.7] and motor block [5.6±0.7 Vs8.6±1.2] was earlier in BD group. Similarly the mean duration of sensory block in hours [5.9±0.67 Vs 4±6.3] and motor block was [4.3±0.9 Vs1.9±0.5]. The group BD received less rescue analgesics. There was a significant fluctuation in systolic blood pressure in group B. Conclusion: Use of dexamethasone as an adjuvant to bupivacaine in supraclavicular brachial plexus block results in faster onset of action of sensory and motor blockade. It also results statistically significant longer duration of sensory and motor blockade.