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Ultrasound-guided infraclavicular brachial plexus block using bupivacaine alone or combined with dexmedetomidine for hand and forearm surgeries

Background Pain was identified by the International Association for the Study of Pain as an unpleasant sensory or emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage. The incidence of inadequate pain management seems to be high, even in the developed countries. Traumatic upper limbs injuries are accountable for a considerable number of patients, who require care by medical facilities (5–10% of emergency department visits). Regional anesthesia [e.g. brachial plexus block (BPB)] is increasingly taking place in patients with upper limb injuries as it is a logical choice avoiding the side effects of muscle relaxants, narcotics, and potent volatile anesthetics used in general anesthesia. Different additives have been used as an adjuvant with local anaesthetics to achieve dense and prolonged block and adequate postoperative analgesia. Objective To evaluate the effects of adding dexmedetomidine to bupivacaine versus bupivacaine alone in infraclavicular BPB with ultrasound guidance for plastic and reconstructive surgeries of the hand and forearm as regards the duration of postoperative analgesia, onset, and the duration of sensory and motor block and postoperative analgesic requirements. Patients and methods This randomized double-blind study carried out in Alexandria Main University Hospital on 70 adult patients of both sexes aged from 20 to 40 years, who were evaluated as American Society of Anesthesiologists I or II physical status and were scheduled for plastic and reconstructive surgeries of the hand and forearm. Results The results of our study show that the duration of analgesia ranged from 450 to 690 min with a mean value of 588.90±73.15 min in group C ‘control,’ while the duration of analgesia ranged from 990 to 1440 min with a mean value of 1295.10±121.60 min in group D ‘dexmedetomidine.’ Comparing the two groups, there was significant statistical difference in the duration of analgesia between the two groups, showing prolonged duration of analgesia in group D more than in group C. Conclusion Administration of bupivacaine with dexmedetomidine in infraclavicular BPB provides prolonged postoperative analgesia without causing a significant hemodynamic instability. Also, coadministration of dexmedetomidine leads to significantly decreased total analgesic doses required postoperatively with minimal side effects.