European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

The aim of this study is to study the onset, duration and characteristics of sensory and motor blockade produced by combination of Midazolam and bupivacaine. All patients received inj. Glycopyrrolate 0.2 mg intramuscularly half an hour before the procedure. No narcotics, benzodiazepines or antiemetics were given. Preoperatively patients underwent a careful and detailed examination. On the operation table and baseline data were entered in the proforma.
Result: Onset of sensory blockade was in the range of 121-180 seconds in majority of patients (n=16, 53.3%) in group I and (n=19, 63.33%) in group II. The difference in mean onset of analgesia among both the groups was statistically insignificant (P>0.05), indicating that addition of Midazolam had not shortened the onset of sensory blockade. Onset of motor blockade was in the range of 241-300 seconds in majority of patients in both groups (n=17, 56.67%) in group I and (n=18, 60%) in group II. The difference in mean onset of motor blockade among both the groups was insignificant statistically (P>0.05) indicating that addition of Midazolam had not shortened the onset of motor blockade.
Conclusion: The two groups did not differ significantly as regards to duration of surgery, time of onset of analgesia, onset of motor blockade, degree of motor blockade, efficacy of analgesia intraoperatively.  A detailed preoperative assessment and routine investigations were done in all patients.  Patients with absolute contraindications for subarachnoid block and those who are taking pain killers, benzodiazepine, MAO inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants were excluded from the study.  Intrathecal Midazolam with Bupivacaine 0.5% (heavy) produces excellent surgical analgesia and an extended analgesic in postoperative period.
 

Introduction:The subarachnoid block is a safe and time-tested technique for
administering anesthesia for cesarean section due to its rapid onset and effective
sensory and motor blockade. Bupivacaine is available as a racemic mixture of its
enantiomers, dextrobupivacaine and levobupivacaine [1] and is the most frequently used
anesthetic agent for cesarean section.
Aims: This study was performed to compare the anaesthetic efficacy and safety of two
local anaesthetic agents: Hyperbaric Bupivacaine and Isobaric Levobupivacaine, in
patients undergoing elective caesarean section.
Methods and materials: It is prospective study in 100 patients, ASA I-II, were
randomized to receive an intrathecal injection of Hyperbaric Bupivacaine or Isobaric
Levobupivacaine. Group B (n = 50) received 2 ml of Hyperbaric Bupivacaine 5 mg/ml
(10 mg). Group L (n = 50) received 2 ml of Isobaric Levobupivacaine 5 mg/ml (10 mg).
The onset and duration of sensory and motor blockade, recovery parameters,
hemodynamic changes and side effects for the two agents were compared.
Results: The time of onset of sensory block was faster in Group B (1.80 ± 0.404) when
compared with Group L (2.02 ± 0.473). In Group B the time to two segment regression
was prolonged (74.68 ± 12.916) when compared with Group L (69.08 ± 3.349) and it is
statistically significant. Duration of motor blockade was prolonged in Group B (135.52
± 4.781) when compared with Group L (100.04 ± 9.165). Hemodynamic variables were
more stable in Group L than Group B. Twenty patients in Group B had adverse effects
when compared with ten patients in Group L.
Conclusion: 0.5% Isobaric Levobupivacaine 10mg for intrathecal injection of caesarean
section produces adequate sensory and motor blockade and stable hemodynamic
parameters with minimum adverse effects than 0.5% Hyperbaric Bupivacaine 10mg.
We concluded that Isobaric Levobupivacaine is a better alternative for caesarean
section.

Background: The supraclavicular approach to brachial plexus block is the most common peripheral nerve block technique used for upper limb surgeries. Aim of the present study was to evaluate and compare the efficacy of clonidine and dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to 0.25% bupivacaine in peripheral nerve stimulator guided supraclavicular brachial plexus block in upper limb surgery.
Method: Total 80 patients of ASA grade I and II, age between 25-55 years were enrolled in the study and divided into two groups of 40 each. Group C received 39ml bupivacaine 0.25% (2.5mg/ml) + 1ml clonidine (1µg/ml) and group D received 39ml bupivacaine 0.25% (2.5mg/ml) + 1ml dexmedetomidine (1µg/ml). Parameters were observed include hemodynamic stability, onset time and duration of sensory and motor blockade, duration of analgesia and complications.
Results: Onset of sensory (2.32±1.16min) and motor blockade (5.55±1.50min) was earlier in dexmedetomidine group compared to clonidine group (sensory= 6.52±0.71min and motor= 11.65±1.05min), (p<0.0001). Duration of sensory blockade was 427.75±19.14 minutes in dexmedetomidine group and 226.0±11.72 minutes with clonidine group. Duration of motor blockade was 486.50±28.96 minutes with dexmedetomidine group and 275.25±17.53 minutes with clonidine group. However, the duration of analgesia was 588.25±28.27 minutes with dexmedetomidine group and 341.00±27.34 minutes with clonidine group. Hemodynamic parameters and side effects were comparable between the two drugs.
Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine shortens the onset, prolongs the duration of sensory and motor block, and also provides longer postoperative analgesia as compared with clonidine when used as an adjuvant to bupivacaine in peripheral nerve stimulator guided supraclavicular brachial plexus block.

Background:Brachial plexus block is a regional technique commonly employed for upper limb
surgeries. The present study was conducted to assess effectiveness of bupivacaine versus
levobupivacaine in supraclavicular brachial plexus block.
Materials & Methods:70 patients of ASA I & II status were given brachial plexus block by
supraclavicular approach for various upper limb surgeries of both genders. Group I patients
received bupivacaine and group B received levobupivacaine. Onset and duration of sensory
and motor block was recorded. Duration of analgesia was considered as the time taken to
reach an NRS score of 3.
Results: ASA grade I was seen in 25 in group I and 18 in group II and II in 10 in group I and
17 in group II. The mean age was 35.4 years in group I and 35.1 years in group II and weight
was 61.2 Kgs in group I and 62.7 Kgs in group II. The mean onset of sensory block was 12.8
minutes in group I and 10.1 minutes in group II, onset of motor block was 14.9 minutes in
group I and 11.3 minutes in group II, duration of sensory block (minutes) was 812.8 minutes
in group I and 1024.6 minutes in group II, duration of motor block (minutes) was 926.2
minutes in group I and 1156.4 minutes in group II and duration of analgesia (minutes) was
910.2 minutes in group I and 1058.0 minutes in group II. The difference was significant (P<
0.05).
Conclusion: Levobupivacaine has a faster onset of both sensory and motor blockade as
compared to bupivacaine.