A clinical study of effects of 30 ml of 1.5% lidocaine with adrenaline and 30 ml of 0.333% levobupivacaine for axillary block using nerve stimulation technique

Abstract

: Axillary block is most commonly used regional anaesthetic technique for surgeries of forearm, wrist and hand surgeries. Various local anaesthetic been used for axillary block, among them levobupivacaine has gained more interest as it prolong the duration of analgesia with reduced cardiovascular and central nervous system toxicity. This study is done to compare the effects of 1.5% lignocaine with 1:300000 adrenaline with the 0.333% levobupivacaine in axillary brachial plexus block and the quality of postoperative analgesia.: After obtaining ethical committee clearance and written informed consent, 60 patients of ASA class I and II, aged between 18-60 years, posted for elective upper limb surgeries, were randomly assigned to 2 groups of 30 in each group A and group B. Group A to receive 30ml of 1.5% lidocaine with adrenaline 1 in 300000 and group B to receive 30ml of 0.333% levobupivacaine. Through perivascular approach axillary brachial plexus block given using peripheral nerve stimulator. Onset and duration of sensory and motor block, quality of block, duration of analgesia and adverse effects if any we re evaluated. Levobupivacaine had slower onset of actions but statistically significant increased duration of sensory and motor blockade, prolonged duration of analgesia were obtained in levobupivacaine group, with no haemodynamic variations and adverse effects in both groups. Levobupivacaine produced prolonged duration of analgesia with reduced toxic potential thus providing greater margin of clinical safety.