Efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided brachial plexus blocks for upper limb surgery

Introduction. The use of ultrasound (US) for brachial plexus block has increased enthusiasm because the anesthesiologist can visualize anatomy, needle placement, and local anesthetic spread during locoregional anesthesia. The objectives of this prospective study was to evaluate the efficacy and the safety of ultrasound guided brachial plexus block comparative with traditional method of neurostimulation. Material and methods. In this randomized controlled clinical trial we included patients over 18 years old with upper limb surgery and who benefit of brachial plexus block (axillary, interscalenic or combined blocks). After monitoring and sedation, the patients randomly received ultrasound-guided (62 pts.) or neuro stimulation (63 pts.) brachial plexus block with ropivacaine 0.5%. We recorded data about: block success rate, sensitive and motor block onset time, block performance time, immediate and late complications events, patient’s satisfaction rate. The results were statistically analyzed, with significance assumed at p