A comparative study of the efficacy between conventional and ultrasound-guided brachial plexus block in the upper limb surgeries at our centre (ASRAM)

Author(s): Harish Gautam P1, Shailaja K1, Manoj Remella1
1Department of Anaesthesiology, Alluri Sitarama Raju Academy of Medical Sciences, Eluru, West Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh 534005, India.
Copyright © Harish Gautam P, Shailaja K, Manoj Remella. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract

Background: Upper limb surgeries can be performed by the administration of general anaesthesia or regional nerve blocks. Brachial Plexus Block either conventional or Ultrasound-guided is preferred to general anaesthesia.
Aim and Objectives: This study was designed to compare the conventional paresthesia technique with an ultrasound-guided approach for supraclavicular brachial plexus block with regard to the onset and duration of sensory and motor block, success rate, and incidence of complications.
Methods: The study was conducted in the operation theatre complex in Alluri Sitarama Raju Academy of Medical Sciences (ASRAM) over a period of one year, from January 2022 to December 2022.
Results: Ultrasound-group had a significantly longer duration of motor block and sensory block when compared to the conventional approach.

Conclusion: In conclusion, ultrasound-guided approach for supraclavicular brachial plexus block is superior to conventional block with longer duration of sensory and motor block, decreased analgesic requirements and lesser incidence of complications.

Keywords: Brachial plexus block; Ultrasound-guided; Conventional supraclavicular block.