ABSTRACT
Abstract The current study was conducted to assess the efficacy of buprenorphine as an adjuvant in IVRA with 0.5 % lidocaine on 50 patients aged between 18-65 years, of either sex, scheduled for hand or forearm surgery, who were divided randomly into two groups of 25 each. Group BL- Patients in the group received 10 ml of the preservative free lidocaine 2% diluted with saline, to a total volume of 40ml. Group BBPatients in the group received 10 ml of the preservative free lidocaine 2% mixed with 1ml of buprenorphine 0.3mg diluted with saline to a total volume of 40ml. Various parameters like onset and duration of sensory and motor blockade, degree of intra and postoperative analgesia, and requirement of the postoperative analgesia and occurrence of any complications was noted. The time of onset for sensory block was shorter in group BB (4.0 + 0.35min) as compared to group BL (6.0 + 0.6 min) (p=0.001). The onset of motor block did not differ between the groups (p=0.05). In all patients in group BL analgesic duration did not last for more than 2/3 hours (0.33 + 0.2 hours). In group BB, mean analgesic duration was 6.7 + 1.2 hours. Consumption of Diclofenac was also markedly lower in group BB (80.0 + 9.0mg vs. 214 + 33mg). Addition of buprenorphine as an adjuvant in 0.5% preservative free lidocaine(40 ml volume) significantly improves the postoperative analgesia and it also improved the onset of sensory block. Consumption of Diclofenac was also markedly lower in group BB (80.0 + 9.0 mg vs. 214 + 33 mg).