A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF BIER'S BLOCK USING LIGNOCAINE & LIGNOCAINE WITH DEXMEDETOMIDINE

Background: Intravenous regional anaesthesia (IVRA) using Bier's Block is a simple and effective technique for shortduration surgeries of the upper limb. Lignocaine is a commonly used local anesthetic for IVRA. Adding dexmedetomidine, an α-2 adrenergic agonist, has shown potential benefits in enhancing analgesia and reducing anesthetic requirements.Objectives:This study aims to compare the effects of IVRA using 0.5% lignocaine alone versus 0.5% lignocaine with dexmedetomidine in upper limb surgeries, focusing on sensory and motor block onset, postoperative analgesia, and sedation levels. Methods: A prospective, randomized, single-blinded study was conducted with 60 patients (ASA I & II, aged 18-65 years) undergoing upper limb surgeries of less than 45 minutes. Patients were divided into: Group L:0.5% lignocaine (40cc) Group LD:0.5% lignocaine + dexmedetomidine (1 mcg/kg) Onset and duration of sensory and motor block,need for rescue analgesia,postoperative sedation,and visual analogue scale (VAS) scores were evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v23. Results: Patients in Group LD showed a significantly shorter onset time for sensory and motor block. The mean time for rescue analgesia was significantly prolonged in Group LD (379.6 ± 33.49 min) compared to Group L (102.3 ± 6.63 min) (p < 0.001). Postoperative VAS scores were significantly lower in Group LD (3.15 ± 0.39) versus Group L (5.43 ± 0.41) (p < 0.001). Sedation scores were higher in Group LD. Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to lignocaine in IVRA significantly enhances sensory and motor blockade,prolongs analgesia,and improves sedation without significant side effects.It is a valuable addition to Bier's Block for upper limb surgeries.