Background
With better precision of the brachial plexus block (BPB) under real-time ultrasound guidance, supraclavicular BPB (SC-BPB) and infraclavicular BPB (IC-BPB) are being used interchangeably for upper limb surgeries. However, the number of anesthesiologists practicing SC-BPB is much more than those practicing IC-BPB.
Results
Block success was significantly higher in the IC-BPB (100%) vs SC-BPB (92.5%), value 0.03. Scan time was significantly more in the SC-BPB, value 0.001. The block performance time was comparable; time to achieve surgical anesthesia was significantly longer in the IC-BPB, value 0.001. Time for first rescue analgesia was longer in the IC-BPB, value 0. 001. The number of patients requiring intraoperative sedation was comparable, value 0.99.
Conclusions
IC-BPB has greater success rate in providing surgical anesthesia in below elbow surgeries and provides longer postoperative analgesia.