Study of ropivacaine combined with butorphanol through continuous brachial plexus block for postoperative analgesia in the upper limb surgery

Objective To discuss the safety and effectiveness of ropivacaine combined with butorphanol through continuous brachial plexus block(CBPB) for postoperative analgesia in the upper limb surgery. Methods 50 patients scheduled for the upper limb surgeriy were evenly and randomly divided into the ropivacaine combinined with butorphanol group(the group B) and the ropivacaine group(the group R).The interscalene brachial plexus block was performed by the guidance of nerve stimulator.After a proper location,20 ml mixture of 0.375% ropivacaine combined with 1 mg butorphanol was injected in the group B and only 0.375% ropivacaine of 20 ml was used in the group R,and the cannula was inserted and fixed.The postoperative patient-controlled analgesia(PCA) was conducted by the cannula connecting with PCA pump.Pain degree in right-away,2 h,4 h,8 h,24 h and 48 h after surgery was observed and recorded by visual analogue scale(VAS) respectively.The incidence rate of adverse reactions like effective press times of PCA pump,nausea,vomit,pruritus and respiratory depression etc. were recorded in the two groups. Results The VAS score in right-away,2 h,4 h,8 h,24 h,and 48 h after surgery in the group B was remarkably lower than that in the group R(P0.05) respectively.There was no obvious adverse reaction in the two groups. Conclusion Combination of ropivacaine and butorphanol through for CBPB can enhance postoperative analgesia without evident adverse reactions which is a safe and effective method for analgesia.