title: Effect of addition of hyaluronidase to bupivacaine during axillary brachial plexus block.
abstract: We have studied in 22 patients the effect of adding hyaluronidase to bupivacaine during axillary brachial plexus block (BPB) in a double-blind design. Patients received BPB using bupivacaine 2 mg kg-1 with adrenaline 1 in 200,000, either with or without hyaluronidase 3000 iu, in a volume of 0.5 ml per 2.54 cm of the patient's height. The use of hyaluronidase did not increase the speed of onset of anaesthesia or reduce the incidence of inadequate nerve block. Hyaluronidase produced a significant reduction in the duration of anaesthesia. Changes in grip strength and skin temperature were useful in assessing the onset and progress of BPB.
authors.affiliation: University Department of Anaesthesia, St James's University Hospital, Leeds.
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Keeler
authors.forename: K H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Simpson
authors.forename: F R
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Ellis
authors.forename: S P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Kay
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001917:Brachial Plexus; D002045:Bupivacaine / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004347:Drug Interactions; D005260:Female; D006225:Hand / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D006821:Hyaluronoglucosaminidase / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000379:methods; D012677:Sensation / Q000187:drug effects; D012881:Skin Temperature / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D006821:Hyaluronoglucosaminidase; D002045:Bupivacaine