Comparative Analysis Of Dexmedetomidine And Dexamethasone As An Adjuvant To 0.5%Ropivacaine On Onset Of Ultrasound Guided Supraclavicular Brachial Plexus Block In Patients Undergoing Upper Limb Surgeries

To compare the efficacy of dexmedetomidine and dexamethasone as an adjuvant to 0.5%ropivacaine on onset of ultrasound guided supraclavicular brachial plexus block in patients undergoing upper limb surgeries.

Ropivacaine hydrochloride, a long acting local anesthetic, is commonly used for supraclavicular block owing to its favorable safety profile especially in terms of minimal cardiotoxicity and less motor block. Dexmedetomidine, a highly selective alpha-2 adrenergic agonist, enhances the quality of supraclavicular block by providing sedation and analgesia while potentially prolonging the duration of block through hyperpolarization of nerve fibers. While, Dexamethasone, a synthetic corticosteroid with potent anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties, prolongs duration of analgesia by reducing perineural inflammation and inhibiting nociceptive signal transmission. Supraclavicular brachial plexus block offers dense anesthesia for surgical procedures at or distal to the elbow with relatively high success rate, once described as "spinal of the arm". Moreover, supraclavicular brachial plexus block is an excellent alternative to general anesthesia in upper limb surgeries.