Onset Time of 2% Lidocaine and 0.5% Bupivacaine Mixture versus 0.5% Bupivacaine Alone using Ultrasound and Double Nerve Stimulation for Infraclavicular Brachial Plexus Anesthesia in ESRD Patients Undergoing Arteriovenous Fistula Creation.

Objective: To reduce the onset of 0.5% bupivacaine by adding 2% lidocaine with 0.5% bupivacaine for ultrasound-guided and double stimulation technique at musculocutaneous and radial nerve for infraclavicular brachial plexus block.

Design: Prospective randomized double-blinded, controlled trial study.

Material And Method: 90 patients undergoing creation of arteriovenous fistula under ultrasound-guided infraclavicular brachial plexus block were randomized into 2 groups. Gr B (46 patients) received 0.5% bupivacaine 30 mL and Gr BL (44 patients) received mixture of 0.5% bupivacaine 20 mL and 2% lidocaine 10 mL. The onset of sensory block were assessed by response to pinprick (grading: 0 = no sensation, 1 = hypoesthesia, and 2 = normal sensation). Rescue analgesia during the operation, duration of sensory and motor blockade were recorded. Surgeon and patient satisfactions are also evaluated using 6-point scale (0 = dissatisfied to 5 = very satisfied).

Results: There were no significant difference in the onset time of either group. Duration of sensory and motor block was not different. Surgeons' and patients' satisfaction were also not significantly different between the groups.

Conclusion: Mixing 2% lidocaine with 0.5% bupivacaine to the final concentration of 0.67%for lidocaine and 0.33% for bupivacaine does not reduce the onset of ultrasound-guided infraclavicular brachial plexus block.