Comparison of clonidine and dexmedetomidine as adjuvants for ropivacaine in supraclavicular brachial plexus block

Background: Addition of adjuvants to local anaesthetic in supraclavicular brachial plexus block helps in improving duration of block and analgesia. We compare clonidine and dexmedetomidine as adjuvants to ropivacaine in supraclavicular brachial plexus block.

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Method: A total of 75 patients aged from 20 to 60 years belonging to ASA I-II scheduled for upper limb surgery were included and divided into three groups- Group I received 0.5% ropivacaine plus normal saline, Group II received 0.5% ropivacaine plus clonidine and Group III received 0.5% ropivacaine plus dexmedetomidine. The patients were compared for onset as well as duration of sensory and motor blockade, duration of analgesia and haemodynamic side effects.

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Results: The mean duration of sensory and motor block as well as analgesia was found to be more (statistically highly significant p<0.001) in group III (dexmedetomidine group) having a much longer duration of sensory and motor block as well as analgesia compared to group I (plain ropivacaine) and group II (clonidine group).

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Conclusion: Therefore, in present study it was found that addition of clonidine and dexmedetomidine to 0.5% ropivacaine are effective in supraclavicular brachial plexus block. However, dexmedetomidine is a better alternative to clonidine as adjuvant for 0.5% ropivacaine in to obtain early onset and prolong the duration of sensory and motor block and postoperative analgesia