Analgetic effect of plain bupivacaine 0.2% vs. bupivacaine-fentanyl was assessed in brachial plexus block. In the first group, thirty millilitres of bupivacaine 0.2% with fentanyl 3 mg/ml were administered via the catheter every 8 hours; the other group received bupivacaine 0.2% in the same regimen. Analgesia was assessed according to visual analogue pain score (VAPS) during 72-hour postoperative period. Significantly better analgesia was achieved in bupivacaine-fentanyl group starting postoperative hour 9, in spite of higher supplemental doses of analgetics in the non-fentanyl group. From the results we can draw a conclusion that fentanyl addition to analgetic concentration of bupivacaine for brachial plexus block is warranted. The quality of analgesia produced is better, requiring for less supplemental doses of other analgetics.

        Key words: postoperative regional analgesia – fentanyl – bupivacaine