Abstract

Background: Intravenous regional anaesthaesia(IVRA), also known as Biers Block is a
technique of producing surgical anaesthesia by intravenous injection of a local
anesthetic into a limb whose circulation has been interrupted by a
tourniquet.Ropivacaine is a safer alternative among available local anaesthetics with
analgesic duration 4-8 hrs. Dexamethasone is a long-acting synthetic corticosteroid and
is beneficial anti-inflammatory agent for the management of acute surgical pain.This
study was done with the aim to comparethe effectiveness as well the onset and duration
of sensory block, motor block and analgesia between ropivacaine alone and ropivacainedexamethasone
in regional anaesthesia.
Methods: 50 adult patients of ASA grade I & II in the age group of 20-50 years were
randomized into two groups of 25 patients, scheduled for ambulatory hand surgery
andwere administered intravenous( IV)Ropivacaine (0.2%) 40 ml and IV
Ropivacaine(0.2%)40ml plus 8mg Dexamethasone after inflating the proximal cuff of
tourniquet and assessment was done with pin prick and visual analogue scale
(VAS)score.
Results:This study showed, the duration as well as the recovery of sensory block was
prolonged on adding dexamethasone. In group receiving dexamethasone as an adjuvant
to ropivacaine the duration of analgesia was prolongedas well as the total analgesic
consumption was reduced. Conclusion: IVRA is a safer technique and addition of
dexamethasone to ropivacaine increases the analgesic efficacy as well the duration of
sensory block which decreases pain scores and attributes to early recovery as well as
short hospital stay.