DOES ADDITION OF MIDAZOLAM TO BUPIVACAINE PROLONG THE ANALGESIC CHARACTERISTICS OF BRACHIAL PLEXUS BLOCK ?

Abstract

To evaluate the effect of adding midazolam to bupivacaine to prolong the analgesia
characteristics of brachial plexus block. After pre- anaesthetic assessment all the
patients were premedicated with diazepam 0.1mg/kg orally one hour before the
surgery. Patients were randomly divided into group1 & 2. Group -1 patients received
supraclavicular brachial plexus block with 30ml of 0.5% bupivacaine & group -2 patients
received a mixture of 30ml of 0.5% bupivacaine & midazolam 50μg/kg body weight. On
arrival in the operating room, standard base line vital signs readings were recorded.
Intra –operatively HR, BP, oxygen saturation & sedation, time of establishment of
sensory & motor block were recorded in all patients. Post-operatively HR, BP, sensory
& motor block, pain score & sedation score, time of requirement of rescue analgesia
were assessed at 0,30min,2hr,6hrs,12 hrs & 24 hrs in all patients. Demographic
variables were comparable. There was no significant difference in monitoring of intraoperative
& post-operative Vital signs (HR, SBP, DBP, MAP & oxygen saturation).
Post–operative sedation score, pain score, requirement of rescue analgesia, sensory &
motor block were significantly less in group-2 (p –value-<0.05). Conclusion-addition of
midazolam to bupivacaine in brachial plexus block produces early onset of sensory and
motor block, increased sedation score intraoperatively & prolongs postoperative
analgesia.