COMPARE THE EFFECTS OF PLAIN LEVOBUPIVACAINE (0.5%) IN BRACHIAL PLEXUS BLOCK FOR UPPER LIMB ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERIES.

Abstract

Background & Method: This study was conducted on 60 patients undergoing upper limb surgeries aged between 20 to 50 years under supraclavicular block at Index Medical College Hospital & Research Centre, Indore with an aim to compare the effects of plain levobupivacaine (0.5%) in brachial plexus block for upper limb orthopaedic surgeries. 60 patients posted for upper limb surgeries under supraclavicular block would be assigned to 3 groups, each containing 20 patients. All the patients will receive injection Midazolam 0.05mg/kg before the procedure.

Result: The minimum age of the patient was 20 years and the maximum age was 50 years. The mean age of the patients in group L was 32.50 ± 10.440, in group L+C was 32.50 ± 7.214 years and in group L+D was 35.10 ±8.854. Age incidences between three groups were comparable. The mean time for onset of sensory block in group L was 13.50 ± 0.607 min, in group L+C was 10.55 ± 1.317 min and  L+D 6.85±0.745. The statistical analysis by ANOVA test showed that, the time for onset of sensory block in group L+D was significantly faster when compared to group L+C and L (P< 0.001).

Conclusion: Onset of sensory block was faster in dexmeditomedine group than clonidine group. The mean onset of sensory block (group L, 13.50 ± 0.607 min, group L+C, 10.55 ± 1.317 min and group L+D  6.85 ± 0.745) and motor block (group L, 16.55 ± 0.605 min; group L+C, 15.00 ± 0.973 min, and group L+D 13.25 ± 0.550 min) was significantly faster in group L+D than in group L and L+C (P < 0.001). The duration of analgesia (group L, 11.10 ± 1.373 hrs, group L+C, 13.75 ± 1.118 hrs, group L+D  15.55 ± 0.605 hrs) was also longer in group L+D than in group L+C and L. The duration of motor block (group L+D 13.85 ± 0.366 hrs, group L+C, 11.70 ± 0.657 hrs and group L  9.10 ± 1.373 hrs) was also longer in group L+D than in group L+C and L. All three groups shows statistically significant difference (P < 0.05).

Keywords: plain levobupivacaine, brachial plexus, upper limb & orthopaedic surgeries.