Usefulness of ultrasound-guided infraclavicular brachial plexus block: a comparison with nerve stimulation method.
10.4097/kjae.2008.55.4.436
- Author:
Jeong Uk HAN
1
;
Jong Kwon JUNG
;
Hyun Kyoung LIM
;
Jae Hak LEE
;
Chu Hwan SEO
;
Helen Ki SHINN
Author Information
1. Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Inha University College of Medicine, Incheon, Korea. helen318@medimail.co.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article ; Randomized Controlled Trial
- Keywords:
brachial plexus block;
infraclavicular block;
nerve stimulation;
ultrasound
- MeSH:
Arm;
Brachial Plexus;
Bupivacaine;
Epinephrine;
Humans;
Mepivacaine
- From:Korean Journal of Anesthesiology
2008;55(4):436-440
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Recently, ultrasound guidance in clinical procedures including brachial plexus block has gained popularity. This method has been considered to be an efficient and a useful method with real-time visualization. Many reports have showed the usefulness of ultrasound-guided brachial plexus block. We evaluated the usefulness of ultrasound guidance in infraclavicular brachial plexus block compared with nerve stimulation. METHODS: Thirty patients were randomized into two groups of US group (ultrasound-guided block) and NS group (nerve stimulation). Blocks were performed with mepivacaine 2% and bupivacaine 0.5% with epinephrine 1:200,000 (total volume 40 ml). Block execution time, onset time, success rate, patient's discomfort and complications were measured and statistically evaluated for the comparison. RESULTS: Block execution time were 88.3 +/- 48.1 sec in US group and 172.7 +/- 103.1 sec in group NS, respectively (P = 0.017). Onset time were 16.0 +/- 6.9 min and 17.7 +/- 7.8 min (P = 0.434). Success rates were 93.3% and 80.0% (P = 0.283). Patient's discomfort was not significantly different. Pain in patients with fractured arm was significantly lower in US group (P = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: An ultrasound-guided infraclavicular brachial plexus block is useful with less time consumption and less discomfort in patients with fracture of arm. Success rate and onset time were acceptable.
