European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Background: Brachial plexus block provides surgical anaesthesia and analgesia and also provides postoperative analgesia. Nowadays regional blocks are increasingly used because of a higher success rate due to USG guidance and peripheral nerve stimulators.  Regional blocks overcome the disadvantages of general anaesthesia like upper airway instrumentation and the use of multiple drugs. The supraclavicular approach for brachial plexus is the most consistent method of analgesia below the shoulder joint. Commonly used local anaesthetics are lignocaine and Bupivacaine. Ropivacaine is an amide local anaesthetic drug. The lower cardiotoxic potential, more rapid clearance and reduced motor block seen with Ropivacaine compared to Bupivacaine is advantageous especially when larger doses are required. The aim of my study is to assess the effectiveness of Ropivacaine compared to Bupivacaine in supraclavicular brachial plexus block.
Materials and methods: 100 patients in the age group 20 to 65 years were divided into two groups of 50 each. Group A received 25 ml of 0.5%Bupivacaine. Group B received 25 ml of 0.5% Ropivacaine. The total dose was not exceeded the recommended dose as per the body weight.
Results: Duration of analgesia was prolonged in Ropivacaine group (550.4+/_26.3 minutes) compared to Bupivacaine group (450.7+/-26.9 minutes). Duration of motor block was comparable in both groups.
Conclusion: Ropivacaine has advantages over Bupivacaine for supraclavicular block due to its long analgesic duration without significant side effects.