A prospective, randomized, double blinded comparative study between 0.5% bupivacaine and 0.5% bupivacaine with pentazocine as an adjuvant in supraclavicular brachial plexus block for post operative analgesia in upper limb surgery: Pentazocine as adjuvant in brachial plexus block

Abstract

In upper limb surgery supraclavicular brachial plexus (SCBP) block with 0.5% bupivacaine is commonly used for anesthesia. To increase the duration of sensory block opioids are used along with bupivacaine, but data on the effect of pentazocine as adjuvant with bupivacaine in SCBP block is still lacking. The study aimed to compare the duration of postoperative analgesia, sensory and motor block between 0.5% bupivacaine and 0.5% bupivacaine with pentazocine as an adjuvant in SCBP. Methods: The study was conducted on 60 consenting patients, posted for upper limb orthopedic surgery involving the forearm under SCBP block. Patients were randomly divided into two groups. Group B received 19 ml of 0.5 % bupivacaine with 1 ml of normal saline; Group BP received 19 ml of 0.5 % bupivacaine with 1 ml pentazocine (30 mg). Block characteristics, duration of postoperative analgesia, and side effects if any were recorded. Statistical analysis was done using the student t-test and Chi-square test for continuous and categorical variables respectively. Results: The onset of sensory (11.47 ± 1.57 vs. 16.8 ± 2.23 min) and motor (8.17 ± 1.14 vs. 13.9 ± 2.44 min) block was significantly faster in the BP group. Duration of sensory (392.33 ± 9.92 vs. 357.2 ± 8.76 min) and motor (379.27 ± 9.28 vs. 347.27 ± 9.13 min) block was also prolonged in group BP (p < 0.0001). Duration of postoperative analgesia was more (p < 0.0001) in the BP group (407.43 ± 10.46 vs 367.3 ± 8.74min). Conclusion: Pentazocine as an adjuvant with bupivacaine in SCBP block provides faster onset, prolonged duration of the block, and postoperative analgesia.