A prospective randomized, controlled, double blinded study to compare the analgesic efficacy of lidocaine (3 mg/ kg 0.5%) with dexmedetomidine (0.5 mcg / kg) and lidocaine (3mg/ kg 0.5%) with normal saline for intravenous regional anesthesia in patients posted for upper limb surgeries

Abstract

Intravenous regional anaesthesia may be defined as reversible state of anaesthesia, produced by administration of local anesthetics into the venous system of upper and lower extremities. This technique is simple, effective, cheap and quite safe for operations on limbs especially in emergency situations. The present study involves the comparison of analgesic efficacy of Lidocaine with normal saline vs lidocaine with dexmedetomidine in intravenous regional anesthesia. A total of 120 patients belonging to both sexes of ASA – I or ASA – II and between the age groups of 18 to 50 yrs, admitted for various orthopaedic surgeries on forearm were included in the study. They are prospectively randomised in to two groups: Group L-Lidocaine 3mg/kg 0.5%+1 ml normal saline diluted with normal saline made to 40 ml and Group LD –Lidocaine 3mg/kg0.5%+Dexmedetomidine 0.5μg/kg (diluted to 1ml) diluted with normal saline made to 40 ml. Results analysed and discussed. The addition of 0.5 µg/kg dexmedetomidine to lidocaine for intra venous regional anaesthesia has significant analgesic effect. It shortens the onset of sensory and motor block onset, improved tourniquet tolerance and prolonged postoperative analgesia with stable cardiorespiratory parameters.