A COMPARISION OF 0.5% ROPIVACAINE AND 0.5% BUPIVACAINE IN SUPRACLAVICULAR BRACHIAL PLEXUS BLOCK

Abstract

Background: Brachial plexus blocks are among the most commonly performed peripheral neural blocks for upper extremity surgeries in clinical practice. The present study was performed to compare the clinical characteristics of ropivacaine 0.5% and bupivacaine 0.5% when used for supraclavicular brachial plexus block.

Methodology: This was the comparative study where cases were randomly divided into two groups (Group R-Ropivacaine and Group B-Bupivacaine) and administered the drug. Pulse, blood pressure, sensory and motor blockade were monitored and complications of brachial plexus block and side effects of local anaesthetics used were also noted.

Results: The mean onset time of motor blockade was 14.33+4.92 minutes in Group R and 15.30+5.01 minutes in Group B while mean duration of pain relief was 688+86.78 minutes in Group R and 664.37+102.97 minutes in Group B. There was no statistically significant difference in onset of sensory block, duration of sensory block, onset of motor block, duration of motor block, mean duration of pain relief and VAS between two groups (p>0.05).

Conclusion: Supraclavicular brachial plexus block using 0.5% ropivacaine were similar in terms of onset of sensory and motor block, duration of sensory and motor block, duration of analgesia, post-operative analgesic supplements, incidence of side effects and complications as compared with 0.5% bupivacaine.