title: A prospective analysis of interscalene brachial plexus blocks performed under general anesthesia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this prospective study was to assess the safety and efficacy of interscalene brachial plexus block anesthesia when performed on patients who were anesthetized with a general anesthetic prior to the performance of the block.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients were assessed postoperatively through surveys, interviews, and physical examinations to document block success, duration of anesthesia, block side effects, and persistent neurological complications. Nine-hundred fifty-one patients were available for the analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall block success rate was 97% and the mean duration of anesthesia provided by the blocks was 23.9 hours. Immediate postoperative block side effects occurred in 16% (142 of 910), persistent neurological complications occurred in 4.4% (40 of 910) of patients, and long-term neurologic complications occurred in 0.8% (8 of 910).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study results suggest that the rates of success and complications associated with the performance of interscalene block regional anesthesia performed after induction of general anesthesia are similar to the results demonstrated in prior studies in which brachial plexus block was performed on nonanesthetized patients. Although significant complications were not common, this procedure is not without risk and can result in long-term neurologic complications.
authors: Methodist Sports Medicine / The Orthopedic Specialists, Indianapolis, IN 46280, USA. gmisamore@methodistsports.com
authors: Gary
authors: G
authors: Misamore
authors: Brian
authors: B
authors: Webb
authors: Sherman
authors: S
authors: McMurray
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Sallay
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000768:Anesthesia, General; D001917:Brachial Plexus / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009407:Nerve Block; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012782:Shoulder / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult