Infraclavicular brachial plexus block versus humeral block in trauma patients: a comparison of patient comfort.
In this prospective randomized study, we compared humeral block (HB) and infraclavicular brachial plexus block (ICB) with pain caused by the block as a primary outcome, assuming that ICB would cause less pain than HB. Patients undergoing emergency upper limb surgery were included in this study and received either ICB (group I, n = 52 patients) or HB (group H, n = 52 patients). Patients were asked to quantify the severity of the pain during the procedure using a visual analog scale from 0 to 100 mm and to identify which of the 4 components of the procedure was most unpleasant (skin transfixion, needle redirection in search of the nerves, local anesthetic injections, or electrical stimulation). The block was assessed every 5 min for 30 min after completion of the block. Overall visual analog scale scores for the block were 35 +/- 27 mm in group H versus 19 +/- 18 mm in group I (P < 0.0011). Electrical stimulation was the most unpleasant part of the block (group H, 29 +/- 15 mm versus group I, 15 +/- 10 mm) (P < 0.019). Time to perform the block was significantly shorter in group I (ICB, 6 +/- 4 min versus HB, 10 +/- 4 min; P < 0.0001). The onset time was 13 +/- 7 min for ICB and 9 +/- 3 min for HB (P < 0.05). No serious complications were observed. In summary, ICB is less painful, compared with HB, with a similar success rate.
Minville
Vincent
V
Department of anesthesiology and intensive care, University Hospital of Toulouse, University Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France. vincentminville@yahoo.fr
Fourcade
Olivier
O
Idabouk
Lamia
L
Claassen
Jonathan
J
Chassery
Clément
C
Nguyen
Luc
L
Pourrut
Jean-Claude
JC
Benhamou
Dan
D
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000772:Anesthesia, Local / Q000379:methods*; D001917:Brachial Plexus / Q000502:physiology; D002968:Clavicle / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006811:Humerus / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000379:methods*; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000601:surgery