scholarly journals A Triple-Masked, Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Ultrasound-Guided Brachial Plexus and Distal Peripheral Nerve Block Anesthesia for Outpatient Hand Surgery

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas C. K. Lam ◽  
Matthew Charles ◽  
Deana Mercer ◽  
Codruta Soneru ◽  
Jennifer Dillow ◽  
...  

Background. For hand surgery, brachial plexus blocks provide effective anesthesia but produce undesirable numbness. We hypothesized that distal peripheral nerve blocks will better preserve motor function while providing effective anesthesia.Methods. Adult subjects who were scheduled for elective ambulatory hand surgery under regional anesthesia and sedation were recruited and randomly assigned to receive ultrasound-guided supraclavicular brachial plexus block or distal block of the ulnar and median nerves. Each subject received 15 mL of 1.5% mepivacaine at the assigned location with 15 mL of normal saline injected in the alternate block location. The primary outcome (change in baseline grip strength measured by a hydraulic dynamometer) was tested before the block and prior to discharge. Subject satisfaction data were collected the day after surgery.Results. Fourteen subjects were enrolled. Median (interquartile range [IQR]) strength loss in the distal group was 21.4% (14.3, 47.8%), while all subjects in the supraclavicular group lost 100% of their preoperative strength,P= 0.001. Subjects in the distal group reported greater satisfaction with their block procedures on the day after surgery,P= 0.012.Conclusion. Distal nerve blocks better preserve motor function without negatively affecting quality of anesthesia, leading to increased patient satisfaction, when compared to brachial plexus block.

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. 1304
Author(s):  
Roopal R. Garaniya ◽  
Sheetal Shah ◽  
Noopur Prajapati

Background: Brachial plexus block via interscalene approach is an excellent option for upper limb surgeries, but due to sparing of ulnar nerve (lower trunk, C8-T1) and its’ complications, it is not so popular. To overcome this problem, interscalene block via lower approach has been tried which has more advantage in view of ulnar nerve blockage and also less complications. In addition, ultrasound provides reliability, ease, rapidity and also patient comfort during block procedure. This prospective study was performed to evaluate the anaesthetic effect of lower approach interscalene block with the help of ultrasound and peripheral nerve stimulator.Methods: Ultrasound guided interscalene brachial plexus block via lower approach was given in randomly selected 30 patients, undergoing upper limb orthopaedic surgeries. After localisation of brachial plexus with ultrasound, the nerve roots were confirmed with the help of peripheral nerve stimulator, before injecting drug. At 5 and 15 min after block, all patients were assessed for the effect. Postoperatively they were assessed for any complication and also for their satisfaction level by Likert’s scale.Results: In territories of ulnar, radial and musculocutaneous nerve there was 100% effect while in median nerve territory 92.8% motor block was there. There was no need of analgesics during intra operative period in any patient and there were no major complications with this approach.Conclusions: Ultrasound guided interscalene block via lower approach is an excellent alternative for upper limb surgeries over classical approach in view of ulnar nerve blockage without any major complication.


2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 40-46
Author(s):  
Ujma Shrestha ◽  
Sushila Lama Moktan ◽  
Sanjay Shrestha

Introduction: Dexmedetomidine has been frequently used in regional anaesthesia to improve the quality of blocks. Addition of dexmedetomidine to local anaesthetics has been shown to hasten the onset of both sensory and motor blocks and also prolong the duration of analgesia. The objective of this prospective comparative study was to assess the change in characteristics of infraclavicular brachial plexus block after adding Inj. Dexmedetomidine to 2% Lignocaine with Adrenaline. Methods: Sixty-six patients, scheduled for upper limb surgeries under ultrasound guided infraclavicular brachial plexus block were randomly allocated to two groups. Group LS received Inj. Lignocaine 2% with Adrenaline, 7mg/kg diluted to 30 ml with saline and Group LD received Inj. Dexmedetomidine 0.75 mcg/kg in addition to Inj. Lignocaine 2% with Adrenaline, 7mg/kg again diluted to a total volume of 30 ml. The parameters studied were: onset of sensory and motor blocks and duration of analgesia. Results: Sixty patients completed the study. The demographic variables and motor block were similar between both groups. The mean time to onset of sensory block was significantly faster in Group LD compared to Group LS (9.80±4.85 min vs 12.30±3.97 min, p=0.033). The duration of analgesia was also found to be prolonged in Group LD compared to Group LS (286.73±55.38 min vs 226.53±41.19 min, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Addition of 0.75 mcg/kg of Dexmedetomidine to 2% Lignocaine with Adrenaline hastens the onset of sensory block and prolongs the duration of analgesia in ultrasound guided and peripheral nerve stimulator guided infraclavicular block.


2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-41
Author(s):  
Rania Maher Hussien ◽  
Dalia Ahmed Ibrahim

Background: The current study focusses on ultrasound guided Brachial Plexus Block (BPB) which plays an important role in patients with hand trauma either in pain control or for surgical intervention. The brachial plexus can be blocked by several techniques but the most commonly used are the Supraclavicular (SCB) and Axillary (AXB) blocks. Objective: To compare the two techniques with regards to the performance time, needling time, anesthesia-related time, block-related complications, number of needle pass and block related pain. Methods: After approval of the ethical committee and obtaining a written informed consent from patients, this prospective, randomized, interventional double-blinded study was done to patients undergoing emergency crushed hand surgery. 80 patients were allocated randomly into two equal groups. Under ultrasound guidance, the SCB and AXB were done for the two groups, respectively. The needling time, performance time, anesthesia-related time, onset time, number of 1st needle pass in each group and block related complications were noted. Statistical Analysis: Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (IBM SPSS) version 23 SPSS. Results: Longer needling, performance, anesthesia-related time in the AXB group than SCB and less complications have occurred with AXB than SCB group. Conclusion: Axillary block of brachial plexus is a good alternative to Supraclavicular block in emergency crushed hand surgery and the choice is made according to the requirement of each case.


2009 ◽  
Vol 111 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian D. O’Donnell ◽  
Gabrielle Iohom

Background Ultrasound guidance facilitates precise needle and injectate placement, increasing axillary block success rates, reducing onset times, and permitting local anesthetic dose reduction. The minimum effective volume of local anesthetic in ultrasound-guided axillary brachial plexus block is unknown. The authors performed a study to estimate the minimum effective anesthetic volume of 2% lidocaine with 1:200,000 epinephrine (2% LidoEpi) in ultrasound-guided axillary brachial plexus block. Methods After ethical approval and informed consent, patients undergoing hand surgery of less than 90 min duration were recruited. A step-up/step-down study model was used with nonprobability sequential dosing based on the outcome of the previous patient. The starting dose of 2% LidoEpi was 4 ml per nerve. Block failure resulted in a dose increase of 0.5 ml; block success in a reduction of 0.5 ml.A blinded assistant assessed sensory and motor blockade at 5-min intervals up to 30 min. Block performance time and duration were measured. Two predetermined stopping points were used; a minimum of five consecutive block success/failures and five consecutive successful blocks at 1 ml per nerve. Results The study was terminated when five consecutive patients had successful blocks using 1 ml of 2% LidoEpi per nerve (overall group n = 11). All five patients had surgical anesthesia within 10 min. The mean (SD) block performance time was 445 (100) s, and block duration was 190 min (range 120-310 min). All surgical procedures were performed under regional anesthesia with anxiolytic sedation provided in 3 of 11 cases. Conclusion Successful ultrasound-guided axillary brachial plexus block may be performed with 1 ml per nerve of 2% LidoEpi.


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