Background the aim of this study is to compare between ketamine and dexamethasone when added to bupivacaine in ultrasound guided infraclavicular brachial plexus block for upper limb surgeries. Methods: The patients were randomly allocated to two groups, 25 patients each: Group K (ketamine group) Patient received 30 ml of 0.375% bupivacaine plus 0.5 mg/kg ketamine in 2 ml saline Group D (dexamethasone group) Patient received 30 ml of 0.375 bupivacaine plus 8 mg dexamethasone in 2 ml. Results: Onset time of sensory and motor blocks was significantly decreased in dexamethasone group in comparison with the ketamine group. The visual analogue scale was significantly lower in patients who received dexamethasone versus patients who received local anesthetics and ketamine. The duration of analgesia and resolution of motor block were significantly prolonged in dexamethasone group as compared to ketamine group. Postoperative analgesic consumption was reduced significantly in dexamethasone group as compared with ketamine group. Conclusion: The addition of dexamethasone to bupivacaine resulted in significant reduction in onset time of sensory and motor blocks, prolonged duration of post-operative analgesia, lower analgesic consumption and lower incidence of complications.
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