Ultrasound-Guided Subclavian Perivascular Brachial Plexus Block Using 0.5% Bupivacaine with Dexmedetomidine as an Adjuvant: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND: Ultrasound guidance has dramatically improved the accuracy of nerve localization, and various adjuvants prolong the block and extend analgesia. AIMS: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dexmedetomidine added to 0.5% bupivacaine on the onset and duration of motor and sensory blockade and the duration of analgesia. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This is a prospective, randomized double-blind, study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty adult patients aged 20–60 years of either sex undergoing orthopedic procedures on the forearm were randomly allocated into two groups of thirty each: Group BS (bupivacaine + saline) and Group BD (bupivacaine + dexmedetomidine). All patients were administered subclavian perivascular brachial plexus block under ultrasound guidance. Group BS: Patients in this group were administered 20-mL 0.5% bupivacaine + 0.75-mL saline. Group BD: Patients in this group were administered 20-mL 0.5% bupivacaine + 0.75-mL dexmedetomidine (75 μg). STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Statistical analysis was performed with IBM SPSS software Version 21.0. Quantitative data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation. Independent sample t-test was used for comparisons between the two groups. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Demographic data and surgical characteristics were similar in both groups. The onset times for sensory and motor blocks were statistically significantly shorter in Group BD compared to Group BS (P < 0.01), whereas the duration of blocks and analgesia were statistically significantly longer (P < 0.01) in Group BD. CONCLUSION: The addition of dexmedetomidine to 0.5% bupivacaine for supraclavicular brachial plexus block shortens the onset time and prolongs both the duration of the block and analgesia.