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Background: Supraclavicular Brachial plexus block provides safe, effective, low-cost anaesthesia with excellent post-operative analgesia. With the advent of ultrasound guidance establishing the blockade has been easier with reduced drug dosage and less complications. Objective: To compare the effect of bupivacaine 0.5% & ropivacaine 0.5% used for ultrasound guided supraclavicular brachial plexus block with respect to onset and duration of sensory blockade, onset and duration of motor blockade, duration of analgesia. Methods: 60 patients of ASA class 1 and 2 for upper limb surgical procedures were randomly allocated into two groups of 30 each, Group B-i.e. Bupivacaine group receives 20 ml Bupivacaine 0.5% (5 mg/ml), Group R-i.e. Ropivacaine group receives 20 ml Ropivacaine 0.5% (5mg/ml). With ultrasound guidance supraclavicular brachial plexus block was administered. Testing for onset of sensory blockade was done using pin prick method, motor block was assessed using modified bromage scale, post operatively patients would be assessed for the duration of sensory and motor blockade. Results: The present study shows that the onset of sensory, motor blocks was significantly earlier in bupivacaine 0.5% group (Group B) in comparision with ropivacaine 0.5% group (Group R). The duration of motor, sensory block and duration of analgesia was longer in Bupivacaine 0.5% group compared with Ropivacaine 0.5% group. Conclusion: Bupivacaine 0.5% has early onset of sensory blockade, early onset of motor blockade, prolonged duration of sensory blockade, motor blockade, prolonged duration of analgesia when compared to ropivacaine 0.5% at equal volumes when used for supraclavicular brachial plexus block under ultrasound guidance without any adverse effects.

Background and Aims: Hypotension occurs in most of the cases following subarachnoid block in for cesarean sections. Studies comparing different bolus doses of phenylephrine for preventing hypotension induced by subarachnoid block in cesarean sections are sparse. Settings and Design: This study was conducted to compare the efficacy of two different bolus doses of phenylephrine for preventing subarachnoid block-induced hypotension in cesarean sections. Materials and Methods: Sixty parturients undergoing cesarean section were allocated into two groups. Group A (n = 30) received 150 mcg phenylephrine intravenously (IV) and Group B (n = 30) received 200 mcg phenylephrine IV prophylactically immediately after subarachnoid block. Then, for every 2 min, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure (MAP), and heart rate (HR) were measured for 20 min, and APGAR scores were measured. Statistical Analysis: The observations are expressed as mean ± standard deviation and were compared using unpaired t-test. The statistical significance of difference between groups was based on P value. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: There was no difference in preventing hypotension in both the groups, the incidence in Group A being 16.6% and Group B also 16.6%. However, the rise in systolic pressure in Group B was higher than Group A in the first 2–6 min. The incidence of bradycardia was higher in Group B (43.3%) than Group A (20%). Conclusions: Both the doses of phenylephrine were equally efficient in prevention of hypotension after subarachnoid block. Lower prophylactic bolus phenylephrine 150 mcg IV is better in the prevention of hypotension after subarachnoid block in cesarean sections as the incidence of bradycardia is higher with phenylephrine 200 mcg.

Background and Aims: Cardiovascular stress response to extubation can result in elevated heart rate (HR) and mean arterial blood pressures which can be detrimental in high-risk patients. Settings and Design: The objective of this study is to compare the esmolol and labetalol efficacy in attenuating hemodynamic response to tracheal extubation. Materials and Methods: Sixty patients scheduled for elective surgical procedures were selected randomly and divided into two groups of thirty each. Group I - esmolol 1.5 mg/kg and Group II - labetalol 0.25 mg/kg were administered 2 min before extubation after following a standard perioperative anesthetic management. Hemodynamic parameters recorded include HR, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP) at baseline, reversal, study drug, 1 min after study drug, extubation, and at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 15 min postextubation. Statistical Analysis: Student's t-test and analysis of variance have been used to find the significance of study parameters between groups of patients. P