A prospective, randomized comparison between ultrasound-guided supraclavicular, infraclavicular, and axillary brachial plexus blocks.
BACKGROUND
This prospective, randomized, observer-blinded study compared ultrasound-guided supraclavicular (SCB), infraclavicular (ICB), and axillary (AXB) brachial plexus blocks for upper extremity surgery of the elbow, forearm, wrist, and hand.


METHODS
One hundred twenty patients were randomly allocated to receive an ultrasound-guided SCB (n = 40), ICB (n = 40), or AXB (n = 40). Performance time (defined as the sum of imaging and needling times) and the number of needle passes were recorded during the performance of the block. Subsequently, a blinded observer recorded the onset time, block-related pain scores, success rate (surgical anesthesia), and the incidence of complications. The main outcome variable was the total anesthesia-related time, defined as the sum of performance and onset times.


RESULTS
No differences were observed between the 3 groups in terms of total anesthesia-related time (23.1-25.5 mins), success rate (95%-97.5%), block-related pain scores, vascular puncture, and paresthesia. Compared with the supraclavicular and infraclavicular approaches, ultrasound-guided AXBs required a higher number of needle passes (6.1 [SD, 2.0] vs 2.0-2.6 [SD, 1.1-1.8]; both P < or = 0.001), a longer needling time (7.4 mins [SD, 2.2 mins] vs 4.9-5.5 mins [SD, 1.9-4.2 mins]; both P < or = 0.016), and a longer performance time (8.5 mins [SD, 2.3 mins] vs 6.0-6.2 mins [SD, 2.1-4.5 mins]; both P < or = 0.008). Supraclavicular blocks resulted in a higher rate of Horner syndrome (37.5% vs 0%-5%; both P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Adjunctive ultrasonography results in similar success rates, total anesthesia-related times, and block-related pain scores for the SCB, ICB, and AXB.
Tran
De Quang Hieu
DQ
Department of Anesthesia, Montreal General Hospital, 1650 Ave Cedar, D10-144 Montreal, Quebec H3G-1A4, Canada. de_tran@hotmail.com
Russo
Gianluca
G
Muñoz
Loreto
L
Zaouter
Cedrick
C
Finlayson
Roderick J
RJ
D000328:Adult; D001132:Arm / Q000601:surgery; D001365:Axilla; D001917:Brachial Plexus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002968:Clavicle; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011677:Punctures / Q000379:methods; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013997:Time Factors; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional / Q000379:methods*