title: Effect of perineural dexmedetomidine on the quality of supraclavicular brachial plexus block with 0.5% ropivacaine and its interaction with general anaesthesia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The effect of perineural dexmedetomidine on the time to onset, quality and duration of motor block with ropivacaine has been equivocal and its interaction with general anaesthesia (GA) has not been reported. We assessed the influence of dexmedetomidine added to 0.5% ropivacaine on the characteristics of supraclavicular brachial plexus block and its interaction with GA.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a randomised, double blind study, 36 patients scheduled for orthopaedic surgery on the upper limb under supraclavicular block and GA were divided into either R group (35 ml of 0.5% ropivacaine with 0.5 ml of normal saline [n - 18]) or RD group (35 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine with 50 μg dexmedetomidine [n - 18]). The onset time and duration of motor and sensory blockade were noted. The requirement of general anaesthetics was recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both the groups were comparable in demographic characteristics. The time of onset of sensory block was not significantly different. The proportion of patients who achieved complete motor blockade was more in the RD group. The onset of motor block was earlier in group RD than group R (P < 0.05). The durations of analgesia, sensory and motor blockade were significantly prolonged in group RD (P < 0.00). The requirement of entropy guided anaesthetic agents was not different in both groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The addition of dexmedetomidine to 0.5% ropivacaine improved the time of onset, quality and duration of supraclavicular brachial plexus block but did not decrease the requirement of anaesthetic agents during GA.
authors: Department of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care, Nizams Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.
authors: Indira
authors: I
authors: Gurajala
authors: Department of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care, Nizams Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.
authors: Anil Kumar
authors: AK
authors: Thipparampall
authors: Department of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care, Nizams Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.
authors: Padmaja
authors: P
authors: Durga
authors: Department of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care, Nizams Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Gopinath
keywords: Dexmedetomidine; brachial plexus block; requirement of general anaesthetics