Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Background: Peripheral neural blockade is now a well-accepted component of post-operative pain management. The present study was conducted to evaluate efficacy of supraclavicular brachial plexus block with or without dexamethasone as an adjuvant to 0.5% levobupivacaine. Materials & Methods: 60 patients with ASA physical status I or II of both genders were divided into two groups of 30 each. In group I, patients received 30 ml of 0.5% isobaric levobupivacaine with 2 ml of isotonic sodium chloride. In group II, patients received 8mg (2ml) dexamethasone in addition to 30 ml of 0.5% isobaric levobupivacaine. Parameters such as duration of surgery, onset of sensory blockade, motor block, duration of sensory blockade, motor blockage and total analgesic requirement were recorded. Results: Group I had 15 males and 15 females and group II had 14 males and 16 females. The mean duration of surgery was 70.6 minutes in group I and 83.2 minutes in group II, onset of sensory blockade was 11.4 minutes in group I and 9.1 minutes in group II, onset of motor blockade was 16.7 minutes and 14.2 minutes, duration of sensory blockade was 650.2 minutes and 920.6 minutes, duration of motor blockade was 570.6 minutes and 768.2 minutes and total analgesic requirement was 20 and 5 in in group I and in group II respectively. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). Conclusion: Dexamethasone prolonged the duration of analgesia and reduced the time to onset of sensory and motor blockage.