Adjunct role of nerve stimulator in ultrasound- guided axillary brachial plexus block / 实用医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the adjunct role of nerve stimulator in ultrasound- guided axillary bra-chial plexus block. Methods 50 patients undergoing lower elbow surgery in our hospital were selected from Sep-tember 2016 to November 2017. They were randomly divided into two groups with 25 cases each,which are guid-ance of ultrasound combined with nerve stimulator group(group US)and ultrasound alone group(group U). 32 mL of 0.4% ropivocaine were administered in both groups. The onset time and duration of sensory blockade in mus-culocutaneous,radial,median and ulnar nerve were recorded. The extent of sensory block of each in nervated re-gion and the anesthetic effect of surgical field(rated as excellent,good and failure)were both assessed. The anes-thetic complications were also observed and recorded. Results There were no significant differences in the onset time and duration of sensory blockade in both groups(P > 0.05). The anesthetic effects of surgical field were 92%in group US and 84% in group U(P > 0.05). No major anesthetic complications occurred in two groups. Conclu-sion Ideal anesthetic effects are achieved in both groups,and the successful rate of anesthesia in group US is not significantly increased. The role of nerve stimulator as an adjunct to ultrasound - guided axillary brachial plexus block may be very limited.