Dexamethasone Versus Nalbuphine as Adjuvants in Brachial Plexus Block

Nalbuphine Versus Dexamethasone as an Adjuvant to Lidocaine / Bupivacaine Mixture in Ultrasound-guided Supraclavicular Brachial Plexus Block for Upper Limb Surgeries

Brachial plexus block is a very reliable method of regional anesthesia for the upper limb. It achieves ideal operating conditions by producing complete muscular relaxation and stable intraoperative hemodynamics.However,Local anesthetics alone have a shorter duration of postoperative analgesia. Hence,various adjuvants have been added to local anesthetics to achieve quick, dense, and prolonged block. This study assess and compare the efficacy of dexamethasone or nalbuphine as adjuvants to local anesthetics in supraclavicular brachial plexus block for upper limb surgeries.

Upper-limb surgeries can be performed under either general or regional anesthesia.However, regional anesthesia has the advantages of long-lasting pain relief & avoidance of airway instrumentation.Brachial plexus block is a very reliable method of regional anesthesia for the upper limb. It achieves ideal operating conditions by producing complete muscular relaxation and stable intraoperative hemodynamics.However,Local anesthetics alone have a shorter duration of postoperative analgesia. Hence,various adjuvants have been added to local anesthetics to achieve quick, dense, and prolonged block. This study assess and compare the efficacy of using 8 mg dexamethasone or 10 mg nalbuphine as adjuvants to local anesthetics mixture (Lidocaine 2% + bupivacaine 0.5% 1:1 mixture) in Ultrasound-guided supraclavicular brachial plexus block for upper limb surgeries below the level of the shoulder.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patient acceptance.
• American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) I and (ASA) II.
• Age 21-60 years old.
• Both gender.
• BMI < 30.
• Accepted mental state of the patient.
• Unilateral upper limb surgeries below the level of the shoulder.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patient refusal.
• Peripheral neuropathy.
• Pathological coagulopathy.
• Infection at the injection site.
• History of active substance abuse.
• Untreated pneumothorax.
• Disturbed conscious level.
• An allergy to local anesthetics or nalbuphine or dexamethasone.
• Planned for receiving general anesthesia during the same operation for any cause.