Background: Brachial plexus block is one of the most commonly performed regional anesthesia techniques. Several drugs have been studied as adjuvant to brachial plexus block. Our aim was to study the efficacy of dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to local anesthetics supraclavicular brachial plexus block done using ultasonography. Methods: 60 adults in the age group of 18-60 years, with American society of anesthesiology class I or II, posted for elective upper limb surgery, were randomized into two groups. Block was performed using ultrasound. Group I patients received a local anesthetic mixture of 0.5% bupivacaine (15ml) + 2% lignocaine with adrenaline (15ml) + normal saline (0.5ml) and Group II Patients received 0.5% bupivacaine (15ml) + 2% lignocaine with adrenaline (15ml) + Dexmedetomidine (50μg). Parameters recorded intraoperatively and postoperatively were pulse rate, mean arterial pressure, sensory block, motor block and sedation. Adverse effects if any were recorded. Results: The mean duration of onset of sensory & motor block was faster in group II in comparison to group I (p<0.001). The duration of sensory & motor blockade was prolonged in group II (p<0.001). Duration of analgesia was higher in group II. Requirement of rescue analgesics were less in group II with better sedation scores. Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to local anesthetics for supraclavicular brachial plexus block significantly reduces the onset time of sensory & motor block with prolongation of the duration of anesthesia & provides good post-operative analgesia.

Background: Brachial plexus block is one of the most commonly performed regional anesthesia techniques. Several drugs have been studied as adjuvant to brachial plexus block. Our aim was to study the efficacy of dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to local anesthetics supraclavicular brachial plexus block done using ultasonography. Methods: 60 adults in the age group of 18-60 years, with American society of anesthesiology class I or II, posted for elective upper limb surgery, were randomized into two groups. Block was performed using ultrasound. Group I patients received a local anesthetic mixture of 0.5% bupivacaine (15ml) + 2% lignocaine with adrenaline (15ml) + normal saline (0.5ml) and Group II Patients received 0.5% bupivacaine (15ml) + 2% lignocaine with adrenaline (15ml) + Dexmedetomidine (50μg). Parameters recorded intraoperatively and postoperatively were pulse rate, mean arterial pressure, sensory block, motor block and sedation. Adverse effects if any were recorded. Results: The mean duration of onset of sensory & motor block was faster in group II in comparison to group I (p<0.001). The duration of sensory & motor blockade was prolonged in group II (p<0.001). Duration of analgesia was higher in group II. Requirement of rescue analgesics were less in group II with better sedation scores. Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to local anesthetics for supraclavicular brachial plexus block significantly reduces the onset time of sensory & motor block with prolongation of the duration of anesthesia & provides good post-operative analgesia.