Supraclavicular brachial plexus block is a commonly used technique of regional anaesthesia for upper limb surgeries. Different types of local anaesthetic drugs have been used to perform this type of block. A comparatively newer long acting amide local anaesthetic drug Ropivacaine with better safety profile is used in this study and compared with commonly used local anaesthetic bupivacaine.

A prospective randomised double blind study was carried out in 60 patients posted for upper limb orthopaedic surgery. One group received 25 ml 0.75% ropivacaine and the other group received 25ml 0.5% bupivacaine. Patients were evaluated for sensory, motor characteristics of the block, haemodynamic variables and side effects at 5,30,60 mins and then hourly interval till block offset. It was observed that onset of sensory block was attained faster, and the duration was seen in group which received ropivacaine where as onset and peak of motor block was faster attained and duration is more in group which received bupivacaine.

Since prolonged sensory block provides excellent postoperative analgesia, and extended motor block is not desirable as it limits patient mobility, block with ropivacaine may be considered superior to bupivcaine.

Keywords: Supraclavicular brachial plexus block, Bupivcaine, Ropivacaine.

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Dr Remya Mohan

Junior Consultant in Anaesthesiology, Taluk Hospital, Vaikom, Kerala, India