Publication:

Perioperative hemodynamic effects of dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to 0.2% ropivacaine in ultrasonography guided interscalene brachial plexus block for elective shoulder arthroscopic surgeries under general anaesthesia: a prospective observational study

Background Although an increasing number of anesthesiologists are using peripheral nerve catheters for postoperative analgesia, single shot blocks are still more common. Ropivacaine has become the most commonly used long-acting local anesthetic, and the duration of analgesia has been estimated to be 8 to 14 hours.

Methods The study was conducted from February 2020 to October 2021 after obtaining approval from the institutional ethics committee. The study was a prospective observational study.

Results Hemodynamic changes in patients who received dexmedetomidine in combination with Ropivacaine had a favorable reduction in both heart rate and blood pressure without causing any major side effect. Comparison of postoperative MAP (mmHg) in two groups at various intervals of time was observed and found to be statistically significant (p value of <0.05). Comparison of postoperative heart rate (beats/min) among two groups at various intervals of time was statistically significant (p value of <0.05).

Conclusions We can conclude that preoperative inter-scalene block given reduces the analgesic requirement intraoperatively as well postoperatively. And the hemodynamic changes in patients who received dexmedetomidine in combination with ropivacaine had a favorable reduction in both heart rate and blood pressure without causing any major side effect.