Comparison of Central Versus Peripheral Placement of Local Anesthetic

Selective Local Anesthetic Placement Using Ultrasound-guidance and Neurostimulation for the Infraclavicularbrachial Plexus Block

Does ultrasound increases the success rate and if there is a difference in success rate between placing the local anesthetic centrally versus peripherally.

A comparison of the infraclavicular placement of local anesthetic either centrally (posterior cord) vs peripheral placement (lateral or medial cord) using ultrasound guidance. This will be done to determine if ultrasound increases the success rate and if there is a difference in success rate between placing the local anesthetic centrally versus peripherally.

Inclusion Criteria:

• American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Class I-III.
• Patient is undergoing elective hand or forearm surgery.
• Patient is an adult, 18 years old or older.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Morbid obesity (calculated body mass index > 35 kg/m2).
• Patient unable to cooperate.
• Patient with a known brachial plexus injury.
• Medical contraindication to anesthetic technique (allergy, cardiac condition, neurologic condition, localized infection, bleeding disorder).
• Patients who are pregnant.