Comparative Study of Buprenorphine as Adjuvant in PNS Guided Axillary Brachial Plexus Block Vs Placebo

Background and Aim: Peripheral administration of opioids has been suggested for prolongation of regional analgesia. Aim of the present study is to evaluate efficacy and safety of Buprenorphine as an adjuvant to Axillary brachial plexus block for post-operative analgesia. Material and Methods: Present randomized prospective double blind controlled trial was performed at P.D.U. Medical College, Rajkot in 50 Adults. Each patient was randomly allocated to one of two groups of 25 patients each. Group C receives 15 ml Lignocaine + Adrenaline 1.5%- and 15-ml Bupivacaine 0.5% diluted upto 1ml of normal saline while Group B receives 15 ml Lignocaine + Adrenaline 1.5%- and 15-ml Bupivacaine 0.5% and Buprenorphine 3 mcg/kg diluted upto 1ml normal saline. Onset, duration of sensory and motor block, hemodynamic parameters, sedation score, and pain scores using visual analog scale, duration of postoperative analgesia, rescue analgesic (RA) requirement, adverse events, and patient satisfaction were noted. Results: Both groups were comparable in demographic parameters. Onset and duration of sensory and motor block was similar in both groups. B group had significantly higher VAS scores compared to C group (P≤0.05). Duration of analgesia was the higher in B (20.39±1.22) Compared to in Group C (10.88±0.74) (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Buprenorphine 3 mcg/kg in axillary plexus block provides significantly prolonged analgesia with less RA requirement and greater patient satisfaction compared to Placebo groups.