Abstract:
Background and objectives : Adjuncts to local anaesthetics for brachial plexus block
may enhance the quality and duration of analgesia. Clonidine, an Alpha-2 adrenergic
agonist, is known to produce antinociception and enhance the effect of local
anaesthetics when given epidurally, intrathecally or in various peripheral nerve blocks.
The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of Clonidine added to brachial plexus
block by supraclavicular approach.
Methods : A prospective, randomized, single blinded study was conducted on
100ASA I or II adult patients undergoing upper limb surgeries under supraclavicular
brachial plexus block. Patients were randomly divided into two groups. Patients in
Group B (n = 48) were administered 30mL of 0.375% Bupivacaine and Group BC (n=
48) were given 30mL of 0.375% Bupivacaine with Clonidine 1μg/kg. The onsettime
and duration of sensory and motor blockade were recorded. Haemodynamic variables
(i.e., heart rate, noninvasive blood pressure, oxygen saturation), sedations cores and
rescue analgesic requirements were recorded for 24 hrs postoperatively.
Results : The onset of sensory and motor block was significantly faster in Group B
Ccompared to Group B (P < 0.05). Rescue analgesic requirements were significantly
less in Group BC compared to Group B (P < 0.05). Haemodynamics and sedations
cores did not differ between groups in the post-operative period.
Conclusion: Clonidine (1μg/kg) in combination with 30mL of Bupivacaine (0.375%)
hastened onset of sensory and motor block, and improved postoperative analgesia
when used in brachial plexus block, without producing any adverse events.
