The technique comparison of brachial plexus blocks by ultrasound guided with blocks by nerve stimulator guided

Brachial plexus perineural blocks provide specific analgesia for upper limb surgery. We present our experience with ultrasound-guided supraclavicular brachial plexus perineural blocks for distal upper limb surgery. Although single-injection ultrasound-guided supraclavicular blocks have been reported, little is known about the advantages using this approach compared with nerve stimulator guided.

There were 60 patients who underwent upper limb surgery for orthopedic trauma and received a supraclavicular brachial plexus anesthesia. 30 patients (U-group) were injected by an ultrasound-guided technique with the needle tip remaining under direct vision. 30 patients (NS-group) were inserted by nerve stimulator guided. Recorded the onset time, puncture times, pains cases with tourniquet in each group. Compared the difference between two groups.

In U-group, all cases had successful perineural injection. Most of them, effect of anesthesia was fast onset and needed insert only once. No pains were reported under using tourniquet. There were no vessel punctures or other direct procedure-related complications. In NS-group, most injections were successful, but slow onset and needed multiply insert needle. 5 patients said pains under using tourniquet when surgery started and had to add opioid by vein. One patients' lung were puncture and result in pneumothorax. One patient's was intravascular injection.

Supraclavicular brachial plexus perineural insertion using ultrasound guidance is feasible and almost have no complications, deserves further study with a randomized controlled trial comparing this relatively new technique with only using nerve stimulator.