Comparison of efficacy of two doses of dexmedetomidine as adjuvant to ropivacaine in ultrasound guided supraclavicular brachial plexus block: A Randomised Clinical Trail

Regional anaesthesia techniques have advantages including excellent pain control, side effects, and shortened stay in post anaesthesia care unit. Ultrasound guided regional blocks are considered safer with better success rates. Supraclavicular block has high efficacy for providing anaesthesia in upper limb surgeries. Ropivacaine with lesser cardiac side effects is the preferred local anaesthetic agent. Dexmedetomidine is used to reduce the onset time, prolong the analgesic and motor blockade effect without systemic side effects and reduce total dose of local anaesthetic requirement.

Here, in our study we determine the duration of analgesia and compare the hemodynamic parameters with two different doses of dexmedetomidine with 0.5% ropivcaine.

We also try to find any adverse reaction to the study drugs. A total of 60 patients undergoing upper limb surgeries will be divided into two groups - Group A and Group B by block randomisation. Group A will receive Ropivacaine 0.5% with 1ml of 0.5mcg/ kg dexmedetomidine and Group B will receive Ropivacaine 0.5% with 1ml of 1mcg/kg dexmedetomidine. Duration of analgesia, onset of sensory and motor blockade effect, time requirement of rescue analgesia will be studied.

Hemodynamic parameters and adverse effects will be recorded.

The findings and observations made during the entire study will be tabulated, graphically analysed and inference will be drawn.