Randomized Comparative Study of Bupivacaine with Sodium Bicarbonate and Potassium Chloride as Adjuvants for Brachial Plexus Block by Supraclavicular Approach

Abstract

Background: Supraclavicular block is the most easiest, consistent and time efficient technique for upper limb surgeries.
Aims and Objectives: To study and compare the efficacy of sensory and motor block of bupivacaine with potassium chloride and bupivacaine with sodium bicarbonate in supraclavicular block.
Material and Methods: This clinical study was conducted in 70 patients of ASA I and II, aged 20-60 years, scheduled for upper limb surgeries. Patients were randomly divided into two study groups. Group A received 30 ml of 0.375% bupivacaine with 0.2 mmol of potassium chloride. Group B received 30 ml of 0.375% bupivacaine with 0.17 mmol of sodium bicarbonate.
Results: Both the groups were comparable in patient's age, sex, weight and duration of surgery (p>0.05). The mean onset of sensory and motor block was 7.5 ± 0.69 minutes and 3.91 ± 0.91 minutes respectively in group A and 9.34 ± 0.76 minutes and 5.8 ± 0.47 minutes respectively in group B. The mean duration of sensory block was 472 ± 30.17 minutes (Group A) and 647.14 ± 19.63 minutes (Group B). The mean duration of motor block was 249.42 ± 14.13 minutes (Group A) and 399.42 ± 27.00 minutes (Group B). These observations were statistically significant (p value<0.001).
Conclusions: Bupivacaine with potassium chloride has early onset of sensory and motor block. Bupivacaine with sodium bicarbonate has prolonged duration of sensory and motor block.