Title: Clonidine as an Adjuvant to 0.5% Ropivacaine for Supraclavicular Brachial Plexus Block in Patients Undergoing Orthopedic Surgery of Forearm and Hand - A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Smitha K. Vikraman, Deepa Franklin, Jamuna Rani
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v5i4.137
Abstract
Background: Regional anesthesia blocks are being increasingly used to cater to the variety of surgical procedures for the forearm and hand. Methods to enhance the duration of analgesia and shorten the onset and lengthen the duration of sensory and motor block can reduce the need for general anesthesia to many patients. Use of adjuvants has an important role in achieving this goal.
Materials and Methods: 110 patients requiring supraclavicular block for procedures of the forearms and hand were randomly assigned to two groups- group A were administered 0.5% ropivacaine with 150µg clonidine and group B with 0.5% ropivacaine alone.
Results: Patients given ropivacaine-clonidine combination demonstrated duration of analgesia of 734 minutes compared to the ropivacaine-only group (504 minutes). The onset was shortened and duration of sensory and motor block was prolonged for the combination group. The difference between the two groups was highly statistically significant.
Conclusions: Clonidine has an important role in prolonging the analgesic effect of supraclavicular brachial plexus block. In addition, its hortens the onset and prolongs the duration of motor and sensory block.
Keywords: Adjuvant, clonidine, ropivacaine, supraclavicular block.
