Effect of Midazolam and 0.5% Levobupivacaine Combination in Ultrasound-guided Supraclavicular Brachial Plexus Block for Upper Limb Surgeries - A Clinical Study

The present study was designed to evaluate the hypothesis that midazolam as an adjuvant to levobupivacaine would safely enhance the duration of analgesia without any adverse effects when compared with levobupivacaine alone, in ultrasound-guided supraclavicular brachial plexus block. Primary end points were the duration of sensory and motor block and secondary end points were sedation score and any other complications.

Eighty consenting patients of both sexes, aged 18-60 years of ASA physical status I-II were randomized into two groups of 40 patients each. Patients in Group LS received 19 ml of 0.5% levobupivacaine with 1 ml normal saline and patients in Group LM received 19 ml of 0.5% levobupivacaine with 1ml midazolam (50µg/kg) for supraclavicular brachial plexus block using ultrasound guidance. Onset time and duration of sensory and motor blockade and VAS scores were assessed as primary end points. Hemodynamic changes, sedation or any other drug or technique related adverse effects were taken as secondary effects.

Onset of sensory and motor blockade was lower in patients of Group LM. The mean duration of sensory analgesia was significantly prolonged in patients of Group LM (537.6 ± 101.01 vs. 319.80 ± 87.09 mins). The mean duration of motor blockade was also significantly enhanced in patients of Group LM (405.0 ± 61.62 mins) compared to Group LS (274.8 ± 46.30 mins). VAS scores were higher in Group LS than group LM. Sedation scores were similar in both the groups.

Midazolam with 0.5% levobupivacaine has effectively enhanced the duration of sensory and motor block without significant sedation and any other side effect.