A randomised trial comparing block characteristics of a mixture versus sequential injections of lignocaine and ropivacaine for supraclavicular brachial plexus nerve block in patients undergoing upper limb surgery.

Background And Aim: There is no consensus on the appropriate use of mixtures of local anaesthetic drugs in various combinations for nerve blocks. We intended to compare short-acting lignocaine and long-acting ropivacaine as a mixture versus undiluted sequential injections on block characteristics of ultrasound-guided (USG) supraclavicular brachial plexus block for upper limb surgeries.

Methods: A double-blinded randomised study was conducted on 64 adult patients scheduled for upper limb surgery who received 15 mL each of 2% lignocaine with adrenaline and 0.75% ropivacaine as a 1:1 mixture in the mixed group (Group M) or sequential injections in the sequential group (Group S) by using a USG technique. The primary outcome was the percentage of participants with complete four nerve sensory blocks at 10 minutes post block injection. Secondary outcomes were sensory and motor block characteristics till 30 minutes, total duration of analgesia, sensory and motor block, and complications.

Results: Demographic characteristics and time taken for the procedure were similar. The percentage of participants with a complete four-nerve sensory block at 10 minutes was higher in Group S (69%) versus Group M (41%) ( = 0.04). Complete sensory and motor block rates were similar at 30 minutes. The block procedure time, total duration of analgesia, and sensory and motor block were similar in both groups. There were no major complications.

Conclusion: Sequential lignocaine-ropivacaine, compared to the mixed injection technique, has a higher initial rate of sensory and motor block onset with a similar total block duration.