Efficacy of Clonidine as an Adjuvant to Ropivacaine in Supraclavicular Brachial Plexus Block in Patients undergoing Upper limb Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial

  • Garvita Solanki Senior Resident, Department of Anaesthesia, RVRS Medical College, Bhilwara, Rajasthan, India.
  • Shailja Kaushik Senior Resident, Department of Anaesthesia, AIIMS, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India.
  • Sweta Bharadiya Senior Resident, Department of Anaesthesia, AIIMS, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India.
  • Anurag Rathore Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Keshav Porwal Hospital, Bhilwara, Rajasthan, India.
Keywords: Supraclavicular, Brachial Plexus Blocks, Clonidine, Ropivacaine.

Abstract

Introduction: Adjuncts to local anaesthetics for peripheral nerve blocks are often required to enhance the duration of analgesia and improve the onset and duration of sensory and motor blocks. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Clonidine as an adjuvant to Ropivacaine in supraclavicular brachial plexus block for upper limb orthopaedic surgeries.

Methods: 60 ASA I or II adult patients posted for upper limb surgeries under supraclavicular brachial plexus block were randomly divided into two groups of 30 each. Patients in Group A were administered 30mL of 0.5% Ropivacaine with Clonidine 75µg and patients in Group B were administered 30mL of 0.5% Ropivacaine alone. The onset time and duration of sensory and motor blockade were recorded. Haemodynamic variables and any other side effects were recorded.  

Results: The onset of sensory and motor blocks was hastened and the duration of sensory and motor blocks were prolonged in Group A as compared to Group B and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.001). Haemodynamic variables were stable and no side effects of Ropivacaine and Clonidine were recorded.  

Conclusion: Clonidine (75µg) in combination with 30mL of Ropivacaine (0.5%) hastened the onset of sensory and motor block, and improved the duration of sensory and motor block when used in supraclavicular brachial plexus block, without producing any adverse events.

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Published
2021-11-15
How to Cite
Solanki, G., Kaushik, S., Bharadiya, S., & Rathore, A. (2021). Efficacy of Clonidine as an Adjuvant to Ropivacaine in Supraclavicular Brachial Plexus Block in Patients undergoing Upper limb Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial. International Research in Medical and Health Sciences, 4(5), 6-11. https://doi.org/10.36437/irmhs.2021.4.5.B