Effect of erythrocyte encapsulation of sufentanil on brachial plexus block

Objective To observe the analgesic effect of ropivacaine combined with erythrocyte encapsulated sufentanil after brachial plexus block.

Methods Ninety patients undergoing elective humeral or clavicular osteotomy and repositioning internal fixation were randomly divided into control group (group C), ropivacaine combined with sufentanil group (group S) and ropivacaine combined with erythrocyte encapsulated sufentanil group (group R), with 30 cases in each group. Brachial plexus block was performed on ultrasound in all groups. Group C was treated with 0.375% ropivacaine 20 mL, group S was treated with 0.375% ropivacaine combined with 0.5μg/mL sufentanil, group R was treated with 20 mL of a mixture of 0.375% ropivacaine complex red blood cells encapsulated with the same dose of sufentanil. All groups were connected to an intravenous self-administered analgesia pump postoperatively. The effect of postoperative analgesia was observed. The time of onset of sensory and motor blockade and the use of analgesic pump and adverse effects were recorded.

Results There was no statistically significant difference in the onset time of sensory and motor block in the three groups(P>0.05). Compared with group C, static and dynamic visual analogue scale(VAS) scores at 12h postoperatively were lower in groups S and R(P < 0.05). Compared with group S, the static VAS score of group R at 24h after operation was decreased (P < 0.05). Compared with group S, the dynamic VAS scores in group R at 12h and 24h after surgery were decreased, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Compared with group C, groups S and R had later first press time of the analgesic pump and fewer pressing times (P < 0.05). Compared with group S, the group R had first press time of the analgesic pump and fewer pressing times, the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05).

Conclusion Ropivacaine combined with erythrocyte encapsulated sufentanil could significantly prolong the analgesic time of brachial plexus block without obvious complications.