Lidocaine vs. Lidocaine With Dexmedetomidine for Intravenous Regional Anesthesia (IVRA) in Upper Limb Surgery

Intravenous regional anesthesia effectively anesthetizes limbs for surgeries lasting under one hour. This method involves applying a pneumatic tourniquet and injecting a local anesthetic below the tourniquet to directly target major nerves. Intravenous regional anesthesia has certain limitations, including tourniquet-related pain, risk of local anesthetic systemic toxicity, limited postoperative pain relief, and the potential risk of compartment syndrome. Despite these concerns, it remains a reliable technique with reported success rates between ninety-four percent and ninety-eight percent.

This technique, originally introduced by August Bier, isolates the limb using pressure and a pneumatic tourniquet to retain the anesthetic effect in the target area. Lidocaine, a commonly used amide-type local anesthetic, was popularized for this method after successful use in 1963. However, lidocaine alone has limitations, such as incomplete sensory nerve block, discomfort from the tourniquet, and minimal pain control after the tourniquet is released. To improve these outcomes, additives have been combined with local anesthetics to enhance pain relief after the procedure and reduce intraoperative discomfort. However, the use of such additives has been limited due to concerns about side effects or uncertain effectiveness.

Alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonists have recently gained attention for their sedative, pain-relieving, and cardiovascular-stabilizing effects in the perioperative setting. These agents can reduce the need for general anesthesia and prolong the effects of local anesthetics in regional anesthesia techniques. Clonidine, one such medication, when added to local anesthetics, has been associated with improved pain control in spinal, epidural, and peripheral nerve blocks compared to the use of local anesthetics alone. Dexmedetomidine, a highly selective alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist, offers a rapid onset of action and is recognized for its beneficial sedative and pain-relieving properties.

Dexmedetomidine has additional pharmacological effects, including lowering blood pressure, reducing anxiety, and providing sedation. These properties make it useful in clinical practice, especially in the management of surgical pain and in maintaining comfort for patients in critical care settings. It is often used both during surgical procedures and for sedation in intensive care units.

Studies comparing the use of lidocaine alone versus lidocaine combined with dexmedetomidine have shown that the combination significantly improves the duration of postoperative pain relief and reduces patient-reported pain levels. One study reported a longer duration of pain relief and lower pain scores in patients who received dexmedetomidine along with lidocaine. Another study found similar improvements in both the length of pain relief and pain intensity scores when the combination was used. Despite these promising results, there is a noticeable lack of research on this topic within Pakistan, largely due to the previous unavailability of dexmedetomidine in the local market. Therefore, this study was designed to compare the effectiveness of lidocaine alone versus lidocaine combined with dexmedetomidine in the setting of intravenous regional anesthesia.