Nerve Stimulator Versus Ultrasound-guided Infraclavicular Block

A Randomized Comparison of Nerve Stimulator and Ultrasound-guided Infraclavicular Block for Upper Extremity Surgery

The investigators compared the postoperative analgesia of nerve stimulator-guided and ultrasound-guided infraclavicular block for upper extremity surgery.

Ultrasound (US)-guided peripheral nerve block has increased in popularity. It has many advantages such as improved success rate, faster onset time, fewer needle passes, shorter performance time, and reduced procedural pain and vascular puncture. However, there is no information about postoperative analgesia.

Therefore, the investigators tested whether ultrasound-guided peripheral nerve block enhanced the postoperative analgesia for upper extremity surgery compared with nerve stimulator (NS) guidance.

Inclusion Criteria:

• American Society of Anesthesiologists physical class I - III patients scheduled to undergo upper extremity surgery

Exclusion Criteria:

• coagulopathy, severe pulmonary disease, neuropathy, contralateral diaphragmatic paresis, allergy to study medications