Distal infrared thermography and skin temperature after ultrasound-guided interscalene brachial plexus block: A prospective observational study

BACKGROUNDIncreases in skin temperature may be used as an early predictor of the success of interscalene brachial plexus block (IBPB), but we lack detailed information on the thermographic response. OBJECTIVETo investigate and characterise the thermographic response after IBPBs. DESIGNProspective observational study. SETTINGUniversity hospital and private hospital. PATIENTSTwenty-nine male and 17 female patients scheduled for ambulatory shoulder surgery. Exclusion criteria were age less than 18 years, body weight more than 120 kg and any coagulation abnormality. INTERVENTIONSInfrared thermographic imaging of the hand before and at 1 min intervals for 30 min after an ultrasound-guided IBPB with 20 ml ropivacaine 7.5 mg ml−1. Cooling of both hands was performed to standardise measurements. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURESThermographic changes in skin temperature on the dorsum of the hand. RESULTSForty-four blocks were successful and two were failures. Four thermographic patterns were observed after successful blocks: the increase in skin temperature was restricted to the thumb (n = 5); increase in skin temperature of the thumb and the second digit (n = 11); increase in skin temperature of the thumb, the second and fifth digits (n = 4); and an increase in skin temperature in all parts of the hand (n = 24). All successful blocks demonstrated a significant (P 
Source: European Journal of Anaesthesiology - Category: Anesthesiology Tags: Locoregional anaesthesia Source Type: research