Comparative Evaluation of Nalbuphine–Bupivacaine Versus Bupivacaine Alone in Ultrasound-Guided Axillary Brachial Plexus Block for Upper-Limb Surgery: A Cross-sectional Study

Sheetal Singla; Nishu Grover; Priya Sharma; Ankur Sehgal

doi:10.51168/48qv7y61

Autori

Sheetal Singla Pt. BD Sharma University of Health Sciences, Rohtak, Haryana, India
Nishu Grover Pandit Bhagwat Dayal Sharma University, Rohtak, Haryana, India
Priya Sharma Pt B. D. Sharma PGIMS Rohtak, Haryana, India
Ankur Sehgal Pt B. D. Sharma PGIMS Rohtak, Haryana, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51168/48qv7y61

Cuvinte cheie:

Nalbuphine, Bupivacaine, Axillary block, Brachial plexus, Ultrasound guidance, Postoperative analgesia

Rezumat

Background:

Nalbuphine has been investigated as an adjuvant to local anaesthetics to prolong regional blockade and postoperative analgesia. This study compared nalbuphine plus bupivacaine with bupivacaine alone for ultrasound-guided axillary brachial plexus block.

Methods:

This prospective randomized controlled study was conducted at Pandit Bhagwat Dayal Sharma Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Rohtak, Haryana, India, from April 2025 to March 2026. It included 122 patients undergoing upper-limb surgery who met the eligibility criteria and provided informed consent. Patients received bupivacaine alone (Group I, n = 61) or bupivacaine with nalbuphine 20 mg (Group II, n = 61). Continuous variables were compared using the independent-samples t-test and categorical variables using the chi-square or Fisher's exact test, as appropriate.

Results:

Mean age was 33.42 ± 9.86 years in Group I and 35.18 ± 10.72 years in Group II (P = .341). Sensory and motor block onset did not differ significantly (P = .156 and P = .298, respectively). Nalbuphine significantly prolonged sensory block duration (472.38 ± 55.62 vs. 335.46 ± 48.73 minutes), motor block duration (371.52 ± 49.18 vs. 278.64 ± 43.25 minutes), and analgesia duration (489.37 ± 61.42 vs. 361.84 ± 54.26 minutes; all P < .001). VAS scores were significantly lower at 6, 8, and 10 hours (P < .001).

Conclusion:

Nalbuphine prolonged regional blockade and postoperative analgesia without major reported adverse events.

Recommendation:

Larger multicentre trials should further evaluate its efficacy and safety.

Biografii autori

Sheetal Singla, Pt. BD Sharma University of Health Sciences, Rohtak, Haryana, India

Senior Resident, Department of Anaesthesia, Pandit Bhagwat DayalSharma University of Health Sciences, Rohtak, Haryana, India
Nishu Grover, Pandit Bhagwat Dayal Sharma University, Rohtak, Haryana, India

Senior Resident, Department of Anaesthesiology, Pandit Bhagwat Dayal Sharma University, Rohtak, Haryana, India
Priya Sharma, Pt B. D. Sharma PGIMS Rohtak, Haryana, India

Senior Resident, Department of Anaesthesiology, Pandit Bhagwat Dayal Sharma PGIMS Rohtak, Haryana, India
Ankur Sehgal, Pt B. D. Sharma PGIMS Rohtak, Haryana, India

Senior Resident, Department of Anaesthesiology, Pandit Bhagwat Dayal Sharma University, Rohtak, Haryana, India

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