brachial plexus block | Acta Medica Marisiensis

Introduction: There are several approaches for brachial plexus anesthesia: supraclavicular, infraclavicular, interscalenic and axillary. Out of these, the axillary approach is considered to be the safest because of the low risk of lesioning the adjacent structures, low risk of phrenic nerve blockade or of producing an iatrogenic pneumothorax. The block can be performed by one single injection at the site, by two injections or by several injection, among each nerve of the plexus. Ultrasound was introduced in regional anesthesia since 1978, being used initially as an auxiliary method to peripheral neurostimulator.
Objectives: The evaluation of ultrasound efficiency as an auxiliary method for brachial plexus block performance, in terms of success rate, vascular punctures. The influence of obesity on performing time, total duration of the block, and success rate of brachial plexus block.
Material and method: Prospective, randomized study which enrolled adult patients, scheduled for surgical emergency or elective surgical intervention on upper limb with brachial plexus block by axillary approach, using either the peripheral nerve stimulation or the ultrasound guidance.
Results: We enrolled 160 patients, grouped in two sets- the ultrasound group= 82 patients (US) the neurostimulation group = 78 patients (NS). Vascular punctures were statistically significant different p= 0, 04. The success rate was not influenced by the obesity.
Conclusions: Ultrasound guidance makes axillary brachial plexus block safer, we can recommend ultrasound guidance as routine for axillary brachial plexus block. The obese patient can beneficiate by both methods of brachial plexus blockage.

Postoperative pain management is of major importance and the existence of a device that ensures a good analgesia in the immediate postoperative period and also removes the side effects of the systemic drugs, is becoming a necessity.
Objectives: The goal was to obtain a good quality anaesthesia and also a good postoperative analgesia by inserting a perineural catheter at the brachial plexus site.
Material and method: This study included adult patients who underwent brachial plexus anaesthesia through a perineural catheter inserted at the brachial plexus site. The perineural catheter was introduced by ultrasound guidance with neurostimulation control. After insertion, a quantity of a anaesthetic admixture of 0.4mg/kg is administered. The anaesthetic admixture contained Ropivacaine and Lidocaine, equimolar concentration of 0.5% In the postoperative period, the analgesia was ensured trough the already installed catheter. The analgesic mixture contained Ropivacaine and Lidocaine, equivalent concentrations of 0, 25%. The administration rate was 5 ml every 4 hours, starting 6 hours postoperatively.
Results: The anaesthesia, obtained through the perineural catheter, was a good quality anaesthesia ensuring both, good sensory and motor block. The feedback regarding postoperative analgesia was positive, this type of pain management being efficient and without the systemic drug side effects. This approach of brachial plexus block was accepted easily by the patients and was rated as a very satisfactory method.
Conclusions: The insertion of a perineural catheter for anaesthesia and postoperative analgesia represents a safe and efficient method of achieving both analgesia and anaesthesia.