• Bupivacaine
• granisetron
• rat
• sciatic nerve block

• Rats
• Male
• Animals
• Bupivacaine/pharmacology
• Anesthetics, Local/pharmacology
• Granisetron/pharmacology
• Nerve Block
• Rats, Wistar
• Sciatic Nerve
• Anesthesia, Conduction

• anaesthesia success
• articaine
• dexamethasone
• submucosal injection
• symptomatic irreversible pulpitis
• tramadol

Background

Dexmedetomidine is being used as an adjuvant analgesic, both as intravenous (IV) and intrathecal infusion. The role of perineural (P) dexmedetomidine has evoked attention recently. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of IV dexmedetomidine and P dexmedetomidine as an adjunct to supraclavicular brachial plexus block in upper limb orthopaedic surgery. 

Methods

Patients were randomly divided into two equal groups (n=20). Group I (IV dexmedetomidine) received dexmedetomidine 1 mcg/kg IV as loading dose over 10 minutes, followed by continuous infusion of dexmedetomidine 0.4 mcg/kg/hr IV. Group P (P dexmedetomidine) received dexmedetomidine at 1 mcg/kg perineurally. After adequate motor response with the aid of peripheral nerve stimulator a supraclavicular block with 40 ml solution containing 5 mg/kg lignocaine (2%) with adrenaline (1:200,000) and 2 mg/kg of bupivacaine (0.5%) was injected to both the groups. Group P also received dexmedetomidine perineurally with block. Onset and duration of sensory and motor block, Ramsay sedation score, hemodynamic parameters, and postoperative analgesia requirement were assessed along with side effects. The data obtained were recorded as mean ± SD, ranges, numbers, and ratios. Results were analyzed using the chi-square test, the Mann-Whitney test for non-parametric data, and an unpaired ‘t’-test for parametric data. Statistical analysis was carried out using the SPSS (version 10, 2002; SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) for Windows statistical package. P value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. 

Results

Mean onset of sensory block was earlier in group I than in group P (p<0.05) although mean onset of motor block was not significantly different (p>0.05). Duration of sensory and motor blockade was longer in group I (p<0.05). Patients in group I demonstrated lower pulse rate and lower systolic and diastolic blood pressures throughout the period with comparable SpO₂ values. There was no difference in intraoperative Ramsay sedation scores in both groups, but postoperative Ramsay sedation scores at 9, 12, and 15 hours were better in group I (p<0.05). The average time to rescue analgesia (visual analogue scale >4) was higher in group I (p>0.05).

Conclusion

IV dexmedetomidine produced early onset of sensory block, longer duration of sensory and motor block, and longer duration of analgesia as compared with P dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to supraclavicular block with 5 mg/kg lignocaine (2%) and 2 mg/kg bupivacaine (0.5%) in upper limb orthopaedic surgeries.

• bupivacaine
• dexmedetomidine
• lignocaine
• supraclavicular block
• upper limb surgery

Background and objectives: Brachial plexus block is commonly used in shoulder surgery, as it provides satisfactory surgical conditions and adequate postoperative pain control. However, there are contradictory reports regarding the addition of tramadol to the injected regional anesthetic solution. We performed a prospective randomized study to evaluate the effectiveness of tramadol as an adjuvant to ropivacaine during interscalene brachial plexus block and assess its impact on the opioid consumption and the early postoperative pain in patients that underwent shoulder surgery. Materials and Methods: Eighty patients scheduled for elective shoulder surgery and anesthesia via interscalene brachial plexus block were randomly divided into two groups. In group A (n = 40), a solution of 40 mL of ropivacaine 0.5% and 2 mL (100 mg) of tramadol was administered during the brachial plexus block, while in group B (n = 40), a solution of 40 mL of ropivacaine 0.5% and 2 mL NaCl 0.9% (placebo) was administered. The effectiveness and duration of sensory and motor blocks were recorded in both groups. The sensory block was assessed recording the loss of sensation to pin prick test over the skin distribution of the axillary, radial, and musculocutaneous nerves. The motor block was assessed using the modified 3-point Bromage score (0–2 points). Cumulative morphine consumption and pain, using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), were evaluated in both groups at 2, 4, 8, and 24 h after surgery. Results: Sensory block onset was achieved earlier in group A than in group B (5.21 ± 3.15 minutes (min) vs. 7.1 ± 4.51 min, p = 0.029). The motor block onset was similar between the two groups (13.08 ± 6.23 min vs. 13.28 ± 6.59 min; p = 0.932). The duration of the sensory block was longer in group A as compared to group B (13 ± 2.3 h vs. 12 ± 2.8 h; p = 0.013). The duration of the motor block did not present any difference between the groups (10 ± 2.2 h vs. 10 ± 2.8 h; p = 0.308). Differences in morphine administration were not significant at 2, 4, and 8 h, however, morphine consumption was found to be decreased in group A 24 h postoperatively A (p = 0.04). The values of VAS were similar at 2, 4, and 8 h, however, they were lower in group A at 24 h (p < 0.013). Conclusions: Combined regional administration of tramadol and ropivacaine during interscalene brachial plexus block improves the time of onset and the duration of the sensory block, while it is associated with reduced morphine consumption during the first 24 h after shoulder surgery.

• brachial plexus
• interscalene block
• postoperative pain management
• ropivacaine
• shoulder surgery
• tramadol

• Articaine
• Tramadol
• axillary nerve block

Although beneficial in acute and chronic pain management, the use of local anaesthetics is limited by its duration of action and the dose dependent adverse effects on the cardiac and central nervous system. Adjuvants or additives are often used with local anaesthetics for its synergistic effect by prolonging the duration of sensory-motor block and limiting the cumulative dose requirement of local anaesthetics. The armamentarium of local anesthetic adjuvants have evolved over time from classical opioids to a wide array of drugs spanning several groups and varying mechanisms of action. A large array of opioids ranging from morphine, fentanyl and sufentanyl to hydromorphone, buprenorphine and tramadol has been used with varying success. However, their use has been limited by their adverse effect like respiratory depression, nausea, vomiting and pruritus, especially with its neuraxial use. Epinephrine potentiates the local anesthetics by its antinociceptive properties mediated by alpha-2 adrenoreceptor activation along with its vasoconstrictive properties limiting the systemic absorption of local anesthetics. Alpha 2 adrenoreceptor antagonists like clonidine and dexmedetomidine are one of the most widely used class of local anesthetic adjuvants. Other drugs like steroids (dexamethasone), anti-inflammatory agents (parecoxib and lornoxicam), midazolam, ketamine, magnesium sulfate and neostigmine have also been used with mixed success. The concern regarding the safety profile of these adjuvants is due to its potential neurotoxicity and neurological complications which necessitate further research in this direction. Current research is directed towards a search for agents and techniques which would prolong local anaesthetic action without its deleterious effects. This includes novel approaches like use of charged molecules to produce local anaesthetic action (tonicaine and n butyl tetracaine), new age delivery mechanisms for prolonged bioavailability (liposomal, microspheres and cyclodextrin systems) and further studies with other drugs (adenosine, neuromuscular blockers, dextrans).

• Local anesthetics
• Adjuvants
• Neurotoxicity
• Opioids
• Ketamine
• Midazolam
• Alpha-2 adrenoreceptor antagonists

• Adjuvants
• Ambulatory
• Analgesia
• Pain
• Peripheral nerve
• Regional blockade

The use of peripheral nerve blocks for anesthesia and postoperative analgesia has increased significantly in recent years. Adjuvants are frequently added to local anesthetics to prolong analgesia following peripheral nerve blockade. Numerous randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses have examined the pros and cons of the use of various individual adjuvants.

To systematically review adjuvant-related randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses and provide clinical recommendations for the use of adjuvants in peripheral nerve blocks.

Randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses that were published between 1990 and 2014 were included in the initial bibliographic search, which was conducted using Medline/PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and EMBASE. Only studies that were published in English and listed block analgesic duration as an outcome were included. Trials that had already been published in the identified meta-analyses and included adjuvants not in widespread use and published without an Investigational New Drug application or equivalent status were excluded.

Sixty one novel clinical trials and meta-analyses were identified and included in this review. The clinical trials reported analgesic duration data for the following adjuvants: buprenorphine (6), morphine (6), fentanyl (10), epinephrine (3), clonidine (7), dexmedetomidine (7), dexamethasone (7), tramadol (8), and magnesium (4). Studies of perineural buprenorphine, clonidine, dexamethasone, dexmedetomidine, and magnesium most consistently demonstrated prolongation of peripheral nerve blocks.

Buprenorphine, clonidine, dexamethasone, magnesium, and dexmedetomidine are promising agents for use in prolongation of local anesthetic peripheral nerve blocks, and further studies of safety and efficacy are merited. However, caution is recommended with use of any perineural adjuvant, as none have Food and Drug Administration approval, and concerns for side effects and potential toxicity persist.

Background and Objectives. A prospective, randomized, controlled, double-blind clinical trial to assess the effect of tramadol and ketamine, 50 mg, added to ropivacaine in brachial plexus anesthesia. Methods. Thirty-six ASA physical statuses I and II patients, between 18 and 60 years of age, scheduled for forearm and hand surgery under axillary brachial plexus block, were allocated to 3 groups. Group R received 0.375% ropivacaine in 40 mL, group RT received 0.375% ropivacaine in 40 mL with 50 mg tramadol, and group RK received 0.375% ropivacaine in 40 mL with 50 mg ketamine for axillary brachial plexus block. The onset times and the duration of sensory and motor blocks, duration of analgesia, hemodynamic parameters, and adverse events (nausea, vomiting, and feeling uncomfortable) were recorded. Results. The onset time of sensorial block was the fastest in ropivacaine + tramadol group. Duration of sensorial and motor block was the shortest in the ropivacaine + tramadol group. Duration of analgesia was significantly longer in ropivacaine + tramadol group. Conclusion. We conclude that when added to brachial plexus analgesia at a dose of 50 mg, tramadol extends the onset and duration time of the block and improves the quality of postoperative analgesia without any side effects.

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Analgesics, Opioid/administration & dosage
• Anesthetics, Local/administration & dosage
• Bupivacaine/administration & dosage
• Bupivacaine/analogs & derivatives
• Humans
• Levobupivacaine
• Nasal Surgical Procedures
• Nerve Block/methods
• Pain, Postoperative/prevention & control
• Tramadol/administration & dosage
• Young Adult