Summary

Background and objective: The aim of this study was to determine the duration of onset and regression time of sensory and motor blocks, the quality of anaesthesia and postoperative analgesia by the addition of dexmedetomidine to local anaesthetic solution in intravenous regional anaesthesia (IVRA).

Methods: Forty patients scheduled for elective hand surgery participated in this prospective randomized double-blind study. The IVRA was achieved using 3 mg kg−1 lidocaine diluted with saline to a total volume of 40 mL in the control group or 1 μg kg−1 of dexmedetomidine +3 mg kg−1 lidocaine diluted with saline to a total volume of 40 mL in the dexmedetomidine group. The onset and regression times for sensory and motor blocks were recorded. Qualities of anaesthesia, intraoperative and postoperative analgesic requirements were noted.

Results: There was no difference between the groups with respect to sensory and motor blocks onset and regression time. The quality of anaesthesia was better in the dexmedetomidine group than the control group and the difference was statistically significant. Intraoperative and postoperative analgesic requirements were greater in the control group than in the dexmedetomidine group.

Conclusions: Addition of dexmedetomidine to local anaesthetic solution in IVRA improved the quality of anaesthesia and decreased analgesic requirements, but had no effect on the sensory and motor blocks onset and regression times.