Supraclavicular brachial plexus block as a sole anaesthetic technique in children: an analysis of 200 cases.

Classical supraclavicular brachial plexus block was used as the sole anaesthetic technique in 200 children aged between 5 and 12 years undergoing closed reduction of arm fractures. The local anaesthetic used was lidocaine 1.5% with epinephrine. The block was graded as satisfactory if surgical manipulation could be performed without discomfort and unsatisfactory if general anaesthesia had to be given. In 182 children, the procedure was carried out under the block alone, whereas the remaining 18 patients required general anaesthesia. The mean (SD) time required for performing the block was 9.1 (3.7) min and the mean (SD) time to sensory blockade was 8.3 (2.3) min. The mean duration of analgesia was approximately 3.5 h. There were few complications, with no incidence of pneumothorax in any patient. The acceptability of the block by the children and the parents was 72 and 85%, respectively. The classical supraclavicular brachial plexus block was found to be acceptable, effective and with a good success rate.