AIM: To study the sedation characteristics of dexmedetomidine and propofol infusion for intraoperative moderate sedation in patients undergoing brachial plexus block in elective orthopedic surgeries. 

OBJECTIVES: i) Level of sedation using Ramsay sedation score

                        ii) Alertness of the patient using modified observer’s assessment of alertness/sedation score (MOAA/S)

SETTING: B.R.L.S.A.B.V.M. Medical College, Rajnandgaon, C.G.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, interventional study

TIME FRAME: April 2024 to June 2024

STUDY POPULATION/PARTICIPANTS: Patients posted for elective orthopedic surgeries undergoing brachial plexus block at B.R.L.S.A.B.V.M. Medical college, Rajnandgaon.

SAMPLE SIZE: The sample size of the study will be taken as 44 with 22 in each group

METHOD: Informed & written consent, Preoperative monitoring, IV access, Brachial plexus block- Interscalene block/ Supraclavicular block/ Axillary block, Proposed surgery, Postoperative monitoring 

OUTCOME MEASURES:

I) PRIMARY:

Level of sedation assessed by Ramsay Sedation Scale

Alertness of the patient assessed by Modified Observers Assessment of Alertness/Sedation

II) SECONDARY:

Mean arterial BP, HR, RR , arterial oxygen saturation

Incidence of adverse effects

Duration of sedation

Type of brachial plexus block

Duration of surgery

Intraoperative requirement of ephedrine

VAS score for pain

Patient satisfaction score 

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Statistical analysis will be performed by the SPSS program for Windows, version 20.0. Continuous variables will be presented as mean ± SD, and categorical variables will be presented as absolute numbers and percentage. Data will be checked for normality before statistical analysis. Normally distributed continuous variables will be compared using the unpaired t test, whereas the Mann-Whitney U test will be used for those variables that will not be normally distributed. Categorical variables will be analyzed using either the chi square test or Fisher’s exact test.