Abstract :
Introduction and Objective: 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.
Materials and Methods: 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.
Result: 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.
Conclusion: Levobupivacaine produced prolonged duration of analgesia with reduced toxic potential thus
providing greater margin of clinical safety.
Keyword :
Axillary brachial plexus block, Lidocaine with adrenaline, Levobupivacaine.