European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

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.