ABSTRACT : To compare two alpha-2 agonists Clonidine and Dexmedetomidine when added as adjuvant to Ropivacaine in respect to onset, duration of sensory and motor block along with duration of analgesia.

METHODS : After informed consent Sixty ASA I and II patients scheduled for elective upper limb surgeries under supraclavicular brachial plexus block in RLJH were divided into two equal groups in a randomized, double-blinded fashion. To Ropivacaine0.5%(29 ml), Group C received Clonidine 1ml(50 μg) and Group D received Dexmedetomidine 1ml(50μg). Onset and duration of sensory and motor block, duration of analgesia were studied in both the groups.

RESULTS : Onset of sensory and motor blockade was 11.6 ± 1.754 min and 15.77 ± 1.612 min, respectively in group C, while it was 9.27 ±1.68 min and 12.87 ± 1.592 min, respectively in Group D which is statistically significant. Duration of sensory block and motor block was 463.5 ± 40.325 min and 424.33 ± 44.658 min, respectively, in group C, while it was 647.67 ± 49.857 min and 600.83 ± 46.722 min, respectively, in group D which is statistically significant. The duration of analgesia in group D was 720.83± 44.16 min, while in group C, it was 510.83 ± 42.306 min which is also significant.

CONCLUSIONS : Dexmedetomidine when added to Ropivacaine in supraclavicular brachial plexus block has faster onset, greater duration of sensory and motor block and also the duration of analgesia than clonidine.
Dexmedetomidine is a better adjuvant than clonidine in supraclavicular brachial plexus block.