Abstract

Patil T. S.* and Satish Chaudhary

ABSTRACT

Aim: To study the onset and duration of sensory and motor blockade. Introduction: Brachial plexus block provide a useful alternative to general anaesthesia for upper limb surgeries. Bupivacaine is one of the most frequently used local anaesthetic which has longer duration of action of 3 to 8 hours but has drawbacks of delayed onset and patchy analgesia. Dexamethasone is very potent glucocorticoid with very good anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity. Materials and methods: A prospective, randomised single blinded study was undertaken in patients posted for upper limb surgeries under supraclavicular block. 60 patients with ASA class I and II were randomly grouped into two groups. Group I received 30ml bupivacaine0.5% and Group II received combination of 28ml bupivacaine0.5% and 2ml dexamethasone 8mg. 30ml solution is used for a single shot blockade of supraclavicular brachial plexus. Results: Group II patients had faster onset of action and prolonged duration of action. Discussion: Addition of dexamethasone 8mg to bupivacaine0.5% speeds the onset of sensory and motor blockade, prolongs the duration thus provides better analgesia and reduces the requirements of rescue analgesics. Conclusion: Combination of bupivacaine0.5% and dexamethasone 8mg has significantly faster onset and prolonged duration of action.