Comparative Study between Bupivacaine Alone and Bupivacaine with Fentanyl in Axillary Plexus Block for Upper Limb Surgeries.

Axillary Plexus Block for Upper Limb Surgeries

Abstract

Background: Brachial plexus blocks provide a useful alternative to general anesthesia for upper limb surgeries. They achieve near ideal operating conditions by producing complete muscle relaxation, maintaining stable intra-operative hemodynamics and associated sympathetic block. The sympathetic block decreases post-operative pain, vasospasm and oedema. Subjects and Methods: This study conducted in Department of Anaesthesiology, Mount Zion Medical College. Two groups were included in this study .Each group were contain 50 patients. Group A were administered with 40ml of .25% Bupivacaine and group B were administered by 40ml of .25% Bupivacaine with free fentanyl 2.5 g/ml. Results: In group A 52% male & 48% female were found but in case of group B 42% male & 58% female were found in this study. In the present study, 38% patient belongs to 26-35 age in group A whereas in group B 30% cases were belongs to 36-45 age groups. In our study, mean time & duration of sensory & motor block were 19.081.7 & 16.482.62 and 13.652.01 &7.231.01 in group A whereas 24.821.66 & 15.32.09 and 6.870.89 & 6.170.77 in group B respectively. Conclusion:  No significant difference found in hemodynamic variables i.e., pulse rate, systolic BP, diastolic BP and oxygen saturation. No serious complications were observed. So, use of fentanyl as adjuvant with bupivacaine for brachial plexus block is more effective and safe compared to bupivacaine alone.