Supraclavicular Brachial Plexus Block: A Comparative Clinical Study between Bupivacaine and Levobupivacaine

Abstract

Background: Supraclavicular brachial plexus block is an excellent regional anaesthesia technique for upper extremity surgery. Bupivacaine is most commonly used local anaesthetic in peripheral nerve blocks. The cardiotoxicity of bupivacaine limits its use in large volumes necessitating the need for alternative drugs in upper extremity blocks. Levobupivacaine is a promising drug with less cardiodepressor activity. The basis for this study is to compare its sensory and motor blockade with that of bupivacaine. Methods: This study included 60 ASA grade | and || patients of both sex aged 18 years and above, weighing between 50-70 kg undergoing upper limb orthopaedic surgery. They were randomly allocated to group B (received 30 ml 0.5% bupivacaine) and group L (received 30 ml 0.5% levobupivacaine). Comparison was made regarding onset, duration and quality of sensory and motor blockade between the two groups. Results: Statistically significant difference was found in the onset of sensory and motor blockade between the two drugs with short latency in-group B. Conclusion: Levobupivacaine proves to be a comparable and better alternative to bupivacaine in supraclavicular brachial plexus block owing to its cardiostability.