Tramadol as an adjunct for levobupivacaine in axillary plexus blockade: a prospective, randomized, double-blind study*

Aim: To evaluate the effect of tramadol addition to levobupivacaine in axillary plexus blockade in a prospective, randomized double-blind study. Materials and methods: A total of 60 patients scheduled to undergo hand and forearm surgery under axillary plexus blockade were randomly divided into 2 groups. Group L received 36 mL of racemic 0.5% levobupivacaine with 2 mL of saline, whereas Group LT received 2 mL (100 mg) of tramadol instead of saline. After routine monitorization, axillary block was performed with a multistimulation technique using a nerve stimulator. Motor (finger, wrist, and elbow movements) and sensory (pinprick sensation for the cutaneous supply) block characteristics for radial, median, ulnar, and musculocutaneous nerves were determined every 5 min. Postoperative motor and sensory block duration, analgesic consumption, and numeric rating scale (NRS) scores were also recorded. Results: In each group, 2 patients had block failures. The data for the remaining 56 patients were analyzed. Th ere were no signifi cant diff erences between the study groups according to motor and sensory block characteristics of 4 nerves, block durations, analgesic consumption, and NRS scores. Conclusion: The addition of 100 mg of tramadol to 0.5% levobupivacaine for axillary brachial plexus blockade neither improved the intraoperative block quality nor prolonged the duration of postoperative analgesia.