Comparision of nerve stimulator and ultrasonography as the techniques applied for brachial plexus anesthesia.
BACKGROUND
Brachial plexus block is useful for upper extremity surgery, and many techniques are available. The aim of our study was to compare the efficacy of axillary brachial plexus block using an ultrasound technique to the peripheral nerve stimulation technique.


METHODS
60 patients scheduled for surgery of the forearm or hand were randomly allocated into two groups (n = 30 per group). For Group 1; US, and for Group 2 PNS was applied. The quality and the onset of the sensorial and motor blockade were assessed. The sensorial blockade, motor blockade time and quality of blockade were compared among the cases.


RESULTS
The time needed to perform the axillary brachial plexus block averaged is similar in both groups (p > 0.05). Although not significant statistically, it was observed that the sensory block had formed earlier in Group 1 (p > 0.05). But the degree of motor blockade was intenser in Group 1 than in Group 2 (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Ultrasound offers a new possibility for identifiying the nerves of the brachial plexus for regional anesthesia. The ultrasound-guided axillary brachial plexus block is a safe method with faster onset time and better quality of motor blockade compared to peripheral nerve stimulation technique.
Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University Medical Faculty, Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation Kahramanmaras, Turkey. bzencirci@fastmail.fm.
Beyazit
B
Zencirci
Anesthesiology. 1983 Aug;59(2):117-22
6869868
Chang Gung Med J. 2005 Mar;28(3):180-5
15945325
Chang Gung Med J. 2005 Jun;28(6):396-402
16124155
Reg Anaesth. 1990 Jul;13(5):112-7
2389068
Anaesth Intensive Care. 2005 Dec;33(6):719-25
16398375
Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2006 Jan-Feb;31(1):88-9; author reply 89-90
16418035
Anesthesiology. 1999 Apr;90(4):1062-9
10201678
Anesth Analg. 1999 Apr;88(4):847-52
10195536
Ultraschall Med. 2005 Apr;26(2):114-9
15852174
Br J Anaesth. 2001 Jan;86(1):80-3
11575415
Int Anesthesiol Clin. 2005 Summer;43(3):69-78
15970745
Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2000 Jan-Feb;25(1):41-6
10660239
Anaesthesist. 2006 Apr;55(4):451-6
16463076
Handchir Mikrochir Plast Chir. 2005 Oct;37(5):344-8
16287020
Anesth Analg. 1999 Feb;88(2):382-7
9972761