Retrospective Analysis of Ultrasound-Guided Infraclavicular Block: Effect of Experience of Anesthesiologists on Volume of Local Anesthetic Administered.

Retrospective Analysis of Ultrasound-Guided Infraclavicular Block: Effect of Experience of Anesthesiologists on Volume of Local Anesthetic Administered. Pain Res Manag. 2019;2019:4846956 Authors: Yeniocak T, Canbolat N Abstract Performing a block under ultrasound guidance effectively requires skill; however, inexperienced anesthesiologists often use high-dose LA to ensure success. We aimed to share our experience with the ultrasound-guided infraclavicular brachial plexus block (USGICB) for upper extremity surgeries and to determine changes in failure rate and local anesthetic dose administered with gaining adequate experience. With approval from the local ethics committee, a retrospective review of records of 2953 patients who underwent USGICB between November 2011 and March 2015 was performed for evaluating the following data: age, sex, height, weight, operation type, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status score, local anesthetic volume, complications, and success of USGICB. The patients were divided into 4 groups of 10 months each from November 2011 to March 2015: first 10-month period, 628 cases (group I); second 10-month period, 672 (group II); third 10-month period, 720 (group III); and the fourth 10-month period, 933 cases (group IV). Nine anesthesiologists with the same baseline experience in USG performed the blocks. During the initial period, when anesthesiologists had insufficient experience, local anesthet...
Source: Pain Research and Management - Category: Anesthesiology Authors: Tags: Pain Res Manag Source Type: research