title: The importance of needle echogenity in ultrasound guided axillary brachial plexus block: a randomized controlled clinical study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In this study we aimed to compare the echogenic needles and the nerve stimulation addition to non-echogenic needles in ultrasound guided axillary brachial plexus block for upper extremity surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  90 patients were enrolled to the study. The patients were allocated into three groups randomly: Group E (n=30): ultrasound guided axillary block using echogenic needle, Group N (n=30): ultrasound guided axillary block using non-echogenic needle, Group NS (n=30): ultrasound guided axillary block using non-echogenic needle with nerve stimulator assistance. Duration of block procedure, mean arterial pressure, heart rate, pulse-oximetry, onset time of sensory and motor block, duration of sensory and motor block, time to first analgesic use, total need for analgesics, postoperative pain scores, patient and surgeon satisfaction scores were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Duration of block procedure values were lower in group E and NS, sensory and motor block durations, were significantly lower in group N. Sensorial and motor block onset time values were found lower in group NS but higher in group N. Patient and surgeon satisfaction scores were found lower in group N.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that ultrasound guided axillary block may be performed successfully using both echogenic needles and nerve stimulation assisted non-echogenic needles.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Cumhuriyet University, School of Medicine, Sivas, Turkey.
authors.forename: Cevdet
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Duger
authors.forename: Ahmet Cemil
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Isbir
authors.forename: Kenan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kaygusuz
authors.forename: Iclal
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ozdemir Kol
authors.forename: Sinan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gursoy
authors.forename: Hayati
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ozturk
authors.forename: Caner
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mimaroğlu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001917:Brachial Plexus / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000379:methods*; D014465:Ultrasonics / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D000779:Anesthetics, Local
keywords: axillary nerve blockade; echogenity; needle; nerve stimulator; ultrasound