K Pfeiffer1, O Weiss, U Krodel, N Hurtienne, J Kloss, D Heuser. 1. Klinik für Anästhesiologie und operative Intensivmedizin, Klinikum Nürnberg, Breslauer Str. 201, 90471, Nürnberg, Deutschland. k.pfeiffer@klinikum-nuernberg.de
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The perivascular axillary plexus block is an easily applicable procedure with a low risk of complications but with a high failure rate. To improve this, the standard procedure was combined with transpectoral sonography to benefit from the advantages of ultrasound, while using a nearly unchanged puncture technique. METHOD: The technique developed by the authors is described in this article and the success rate and the time factor were determined in a sample of 86 patients. The success rates were compared to previous rates without ultrasound and to those in the literature. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The rate of complete blocks without the use of transpectoral sonography in our clinic and in the literature was approximately 72%, whereas using transpectoral ultrasound it was 96.5%. None of the 86 patients with transpectoral sonography required general anaesthesia. The onset time using transpectoral sonography was approximately 6 min. The perivascular axillary plexus block, combined with transpectoral sonography, is an effective and efficient procedure.
BACKGROUND: The perivascular axillary plexus block is an easily applicable procedure with a low risk of complications but with a high failure rate. To improve this, the standard procedure was combined with transpectoral sonography to benefit from the advantages of ultrasound, while using a nearly unchanged puncture technique. METHOD: The technique developed by the authors is described in this article and the success rate and the time factor were determined in a sample of 86 patients. The success rates were compared to previous rates without ultrasound and to those in the literature. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The rate of complete blocks without the use of transpectoral sonography in our clinic and in the literature was approximately 72%, whereas using transpectoral ultrasound it was 96.5%. None of the 86 patients with transpectoral sonography required general anaesthesia. The onset time using transpectoral sonography was approximately 6 min. The perivascular axillary plexus block, combined with transpectoral sonography, is an effective and efficient procedure.
Authors: B D Sites; M L Beach; B C Spence; C W Wiley; J Shiffrin; G S Hartman; J D Gallagher Journal: Acta Anaesthesiol Scand Date: 2006-07 Impact factor: 2.105