Bilateral superficial cervical plexus block combined with general anaesthesia for thyroid surgery-a comparative study of intraoperative haemodynamic status and safety

Background: When general anaesthesia is employed for a surgery, the hemodynamic changes are intense during intubation, intraoperative stress and extubation. Hence, in the present study, by employing Bilateral Superficial Cervical Plexus Block using 0.5% Bupivacaine prior to skin incision, assessment of hemodynamic effects during intraoperative period is done. The aim of the study was to compare the intra operative hemodynamic status and the safety of bilateral superficial cervical plexus block with general anesthesia in thyroid surgerie.Methods: Bilateral superficial cervical plexus block was performed in patients undergoing simple thyroid surgery using normal saline in 29 control group patients and 0.5% Bupivacaine in 29 study group patients. Intraoperative hemodynamic status was monitored in both the groups using parameters such as heart rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and mean blood pressure.Results: Hemodynamic parameters are not altered during the intraoperative period in the study and control group.Conclusions: Bilateral Superficial Cervical Plexus Block with bupivacaine did not alter the intraoperative hemodynamic parameters.