Ultrasound-Guided Infraclavicular Brachial Plexus Block: Prospective Randomized Comparison of the Lateral Sagittal and Costoclavicular Approach

In this study, we hypothesized that the CC approach will produce faster onset of sensory blockade of the 4 major terminal nerves of the brachial plexus than the LS approach. Methods Forty patients undergoing elective upper extremity surgery under a BPB were randomized to receive either the LS (Gp-LS, n = 20) or CC approach (Gp-CC, n = 20) for infraclavicular BPB. Twenty-five milliliters of 0.5% ropivacaine was used for the BPB in both study groups. Sensory-motor blockade of the ipsilateral median, radial, ulnar, and musculocutaneous nerves was assessed by a blinded observer at regular intervals for 45 minutes after the block. Sensory block was assessed using a verbal rating scale (0–100) and motor block using a 3-point qualitative scale (0–2). Onset of sensory (primary outcome variable) and motor blockade was defined as the time it took to achieve a sensory verbal rating scale of 30 or less and motor grade of 1 or less, respectively. Time to readiness for surgery was defined as the time it took to achieve a sensory score of 30 or less and motor grade of 1 or less in all the 4 nerves tested. Results The overall sensory onset time (median [interquartile range]) was significantly faster (P = 0.004) in Gp-CC (10 [10–26.25] minutes) than in Gp-LS (20 [15–30] minutes). The overall sensory score was significantly lower in Gp-CC than in Gp-LS at 5 (P
Source: Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine - Category: Anesthesiology Tags: REGIONAL ANESTHESIA AND ACUTE PAIN: ORIGINAL ARTICLES Source Type: research