A Comparative Study of 0.5% and 0.75% Ropivacaine for Supraclavicular Brachial Plexus Block in Upper Limb Surgery

Background For surgery of the upper extremity, one method is the supraclavicular block, as it is a reliable anesthetic, safe, and has a rapid onset. Although for epidural anesthesia, ropivacaine has been studied extensively, few reports exist on its use in supraclavicular brachial plexus block in two different concentrations. The present study was done to evaluate the efficacy of 0.5% ropivacaine for supraclavicular brachial plexus block and to compare it with 0.75% ropivacaine for upper limb surgeries in terms of characteristics of supraclavicular blockade. Methods A prospective, blinded randomized study was conducted, enrolling 60 patients of either sex, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) I and II, who were allocated into two groups in which supraclavicular brachial plexus block was performed using ropivacaine in concentrations of 0.5% and 0.75%, respectively. The onset and duration of sensory and motor blocks were recorded. Results The onset of sensory and motor blockade was faster in patients receiving ropivacaine 0.5% than in those receiving ropivacaine 0.75%. However, the sensory and motor blockade duration was longer in patients who received ropivacaine 0.75%, in comparison to patients who received ropivacaine 0.5%. No statistically significant difference was found in the quality of blocks in both groups. Conclusion Ropivacaine 0.75% provides a longer duration of sensory and motor blockade compared to 0.5% when used for supraclavicular brachial plexus block, making it more suitable for prolonged upper limb surgeries and in cases where prolonged pain relief is prioritized. However, 0.5% may be preferable in cases where early motor recovery is desired. Both concentrations were well-tolerated without any significant complications.