Study of effect of dexamethasone added to lignocaine plus adrenaline in supraclavicular brachial plexus block: a prospective study

Ashok R Chaudhari, Pratibha Deshmukh*, Harleen Sandhu, Kirti Gujarkar

Datta Meghe Medical College, Shalinitai Meghe Hospital and Research Centre, Nagpur, India

ABSTRACT

Various additives have been employed to extend the brachial plexus block. Dexamethasone, when added to local anesthetic block prolongation with analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects has been seen. Group I (Control group) received Inj. Lignocaine 1.5% plus adrenaline (1:200000) max safe dose of 7mg/kg+ NS- 2ml while group II (Dexa group) received Inj. Lignocaine 1.5% plus adrenaline (1:200000) max safe dose of 7mg/kg + Inj. Dexamethasone - 2ml (8mg). Total volume in each group ranged between 25-32ml considering the patients individual body weight. Block characteristics, duration and quality of analgesia in the post-operative period were noted. Dexamethasone hastens the onset and prolonged the duration of motor and sensory blockade. The mean duration of postoperative analgesia was prolonged till 8th hour in the dexamethasone group while in the control group it was continued till 3hrs, the role of rescue analgesia commenced after 3rd hour. Dexamethasone provides better hemodynamic stability and profound analgesia without any untoward side effects in the perioperative period. In the supraclavicular method of brachial plexus block, the addition of dexamethasone to lignocaine adrenaline offers excellent anesthetic and analgesia.

Keywords:

Dexamethasone; Supraclavicular; Lignocaine; Adrenaline; Brachial plexus block; Orthopedic surgery; Analgesia