Effect of Added Alpha 2 Agonists with Local Anaesthetic in Infraclavicular Brachial Plexus Block: A Comparative Study between Dexmedetomidine and Clonidine

BACKGROUND: Many adjuvant drugs are added with local anesthetics to increase the quality of regional blocks. AIM: To compare the effects of dexmedetomidine and clonidine added to bupivacaine in infraclavicular brachial plexus block in prolonging the duration of analgesia in patients undergoing orthopedic surgery of forearm or hand and also to compare the duration of sensory and motor block, sedation, and hemodynamic changes like bradycardia and hypotension in two groups. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This was an observational study conducted in a tertiary care hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A study was conducted among 60 patients admitted for elective upper limb surgeries under ultrasound-guided infraclavicular block. Patients who received bupivacaine 0.5% (20 mL) + Clonidine 1 μg.kg−1 were classified as Group A and those received bupivacaine 0.5% (20 mL) + dexmedetomidine 1 μg.kg−1 were classified as Group B. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 25. RESULTS: Duration of analgesia was significantly higher in Group B as compared to Group A (mean + standard deviation = 764 ± 17.573 min vs. 526 ± 9.958 min, respectively, P = 0.001). The mean time for onset of a sensory block as well as motor block was significantly less in Group B when compared to Group A (P = 0.001). The mean duration of both sensory block and motor block was higher in Group B as compared to Group A (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The dexmedetomidine group (Group B) provides a quicker and prolonged analgesic action without major adverse effects.