Block Time: A Multispecialty Systematic Review of Efficacy and Safety of Ultrasound-guided Upper Extremity Nerve Blocks

Introduction:Ultrasound-guided peripheral nerve blockade is a common pain management strategy to decrease perioperative pain and opioid/general anesthetic use. In this article our goal was to systematically review publications supporting upper extremity nerve blocks distal to the brachial plexus.We assessed the efficacy and safety of median, ulnar, radial, suprascapular, and axillary nerve blocks by reviewing previous studies.Methods:We searched MEDLINE and Embase databases to capture studies investigating these nerve blocks across all specialties. We screened titles and abstracts according to agreed-upon inclusion/exclusion criteria. We then conducted a hand search of references to identify studies not found in the initial search strategy.Results:We included 20 studies with1,273 enrolled patients in qualitative analysis. Both anesthesiology (12, 60%) and emergency medicine (5, 25%) specialties have evidence...
Source: Western Journal of Emergency Medicine - Category: Emergency Medicine Authors: Source Type: research