UNASSIGNED: There is no consensus on the appropriate use of mixtures of local anaesthetic drugs in various combinations for nerve blocks. We intended to compare short-acting lignocaine and long-acting ropivacaine as a mixture versus undiluted sequential injections on block characteristics of ultrasound-guided (USG) supraclavicular brachial plexus block for upper limb surgeries.
UNASSIGNED: A double-blinded randomised study was conducted on 64 adult patients scheduled for upper limb surgery who received 15 mL each of 2% lignocaine with adrenaline and 0.75% ropivacaine as a 1:1 mixture in the mixed group (Group M) or sequential injections in the sequential group (Group S) by using a USG technique. The primary outcome was the percentage of participants with complete four nerve sensory blocks at 10 minutes post block injection. Secondary outcomes were sensory and motor block characteristics till 30 minutes, total duration of analgesia, sensory and motor block, and complications.
UNASSIGNED: Demographic characteristics and time taken for the procedure were similar. The percentage of participants with a complete four-nerve sensory block at 10 minutes was higher in Group S (69%) versus Group M (41%) (P = 0.04). Complete sensory and motor block rates were similar at 30 minutes. The block procedure time, total duration of analgesia, and sensory and motor block were similar in both groups. There were no major complications.
UNASSIGNED: Sequential lignocaine-ropivacaine, compared to the mixed injection technique, has a higher initial rate of sensory and motor block onset with a similar total block duration.

Background This study investigated the success rate of ultrasonography (USG)-guided supraclavicular block using a single-point injection technique comparing it with multiple-point injection technique, in terms of nerve sparing, time taken to perform the procedure, time taken to onset of sensory and motor block. Materials and methods A total of 204 patients of American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Status I and II, aged 18-60 years, with body mass index (BMI) ≤30 kg/m2, posted for upper limb surgeries were given USG-guided supraclavicular brachial plexus block with 15 mL of 0.5% Ropivacaine. The patients were randomly divided into group A (single-point injection) and group B (multiple-point injection), using an out-of-plane technique. Sensory and motor block was assessed for onset and maximum grade achieved, by using pinprick, cold, touch, and movement respectively. The efficacy of the block was tested by assessment in the territories of musculocutaneous, ulnar, radial, median, axillary, and intercostobrachial nerves. Procedural time was calculated from the insertion of the needle till the complete injection of the drug. Results Patients in both groups were comparable in terms of demography and ASA status. The success rate for group A was 60.8%, compared to 98% in group B. In group B, the intercostobrachial nerve was most commonly spared (7.84%), followed by ulnar (1.96%), and radial (0.98%). On the other hand, in group A, the most frequently spared nerves were ulnar and intercostobrachial (23.5% each), followed by radial (12.7%), axillary (10.8%), musculocutaneous (7.8%), and median nerves (6.9%). The onset of sensory and motor block was similar in both groups. The procedure time was longer in the multiple-point group. Conclusion Our observations suggest that nerve sparing is much lesser in the multiple-point injection technique used for USG-guided supraclavicular block. In a good number of patients using this technique, the intercostobrachial nerve gets blocked.

UNASSIGNED: Successful brachial plexus blockade produces sympathetic blockade, resulting in increased skin temperature in the blocked segments. This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of infrared thermography in predicting failed segmental supraclavicular brachial plexus block.
UNASSIGNED: This prospective observational study included adult patients undergoing upper-limb surgery under supraclavicular brachial plexus block. Sensation was evaluated at the dermatomal distribution of the ulnar, median, and radial nerves. Block failure was defined as absence of complete sensory loss 30 min after block completion. Skin temperature was evaluated by infrared thermography at the dermatomal supply of the ulnar, median, and radial nerves at baseline, 5, 10, 15, and 20 min after block completion. The temperature change from the baseline measurement was calculated for each time point. Outcomes were the ability of temperature change at each site to predict failed block of the corresponding nerve using area under receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC) analysis.
UNASSIGNED: Eighty patients were available for the final analysis. The AUC (95% confidence interval [CI]) for the ability of temperature change at 5 min to predict failed ulnar, median, and radial nerve block was 0.79 (0.68-0.87), 0.77 (0.67-0.86), and 0.79 (0.69-0.88). The AUC (95% CI) increased progressively and reached its maximum values at 15 min (ulnar nerve 0.98 [0.92-1.00], median nerve 0.97 [0.90-0.99], radial nerve 0.96 [0.89-0.99]) with negative predictive value of 100%.
UNASSIGNED: Infrared thermography of different skin segments provides an accurate tool for predicting failed supraclavicular brachial plexus block. Increased skin temperature at each segment can exclude block failure in the corresponding nerve with 100% accuracy.

UNASSIGNED: To determine the median effective volume (EV50) of 0.2% ropivacaine for ultrasound-guided supraclavicular brachial plexus block (SC-BPB) in children aged 1-6 years.
UNASSIGNED: Children aged from 1 to 6 years with an American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I-II who were scheduled for unilateral upper extremity surgery at the Children\'s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University were recruited. All patients underwent surgery under general anaesthesia combined with brachial plexus block. SC-BPB was guided by ultrasound after anaesthesia induction, and 0.2% ropivacaine was given after localization. In the study, we used Dixon\'s up-and-down approach with an initial dose of 0.50 ml/kg. Considering the effect of the previous block, a successful or failed block could produce a 0.05 ml/kg decrement or increment in volume, correspondingly. The experiment was stopped when there were 7 inflection points. Using isotonic regression and bootstrapping algorithms, the EV50, the 95% effective volume (EV95) and the 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated. The patients\' general information, postoperative pain scores, and adverse events were also recorded.
UNASSIGNED: Twenty-seven patients were involved in this study. The EV50 of 0.2% ropivacaine was 0.150 ml/kg (95% CI, 0.131-0.169 ml/kg) and the EV95 (secondary metric) was 0.195 ml/kg (95% CI, 0.188-0.197 ml/kg). No adverse events occurred during the research study.
UNASSIGNED: For ultrasound-guided SC-BPB in children aged 1-6 years undergoing unilateral upper extremity surgery, the EV50 of 0.2% ropivacaine was 0.150 ml/kg (95% CI, 0.131-0.169 ml/kg).

Costoclavicular brachial plexus block has been described recently as a new technique in adults and pediatric patients. In this study, we aimed to compare the supraclavicular and costoclavicular approaches, which are claimed to be effective and practical in pediatric patients.
Sixty children were randomized to receive supraclavicular (SC group) or costoclavicular (CC group) brachial plexus blocks prior to surgical incision. Block performance times were recorded as the primary outcome. Procedural features (ideal brachial plexus cord visualization/needle pathway planning time, needle tip/shaft visualization difficulty, number of needle maneuvers, requirement of extra needle maneuvers due to insufficient local anesthetic distribution) and postoperative pain-related data (sensorimotor block intensities, Wong-Baker and FLACC pain scores and analgesic requirements) were also evaluated. To observe the tendency toward respiratory complications, ultrasonographic diaphragm movement amplitude (with M-mode) and diaphragm thickness (with B-mode) were measured postoperatively.
A total of 56 patients were included. Block performance times [70(7-97) vs. 115(75-180) s] were significantly lower in the CC group (p < 0.01). The block success rates did not differ (p > 0.05). The incidence of hemidiaphragm paralysis was 44% in the SC group (p < 0.001), and inspiratory diaphragm thickness was significantly lower (p < 0.01). None of CC group patients experienced hemidiaphragm paralysis. All other parameters were comparable (p > 0.05).
Although costoclavicular block did not show superiority in pain management, the block performance was perceived as more practical than supraclavicular block. We believe that costoclavicular brachial plexus block stands as a good option in upper extremity surgeries with the advantages of shorter block performance time and reduced ipsilateral hemidiaphragm paralysis risk in pediatric patients.

UNASSIGNED: Dexmedetomidine is used as an adjuvant to local anesthetic agents to provide prolonged analgesia in peripheral nerve blocks. This study aimed at determining the optimal dose of dexmedetomidine, which when combined with ropivacaine will produce a superior quality block in terms of extended pain-free period and reduced perioperative analgesic/opioid use, which in turn improves patient satisfaction.
UNASSIGNED: The objective of the study is to assess the duration of analgesia with two different doses (25 μg and 50 μg) of dexmedetomidine with ropivacaine in supraclavicular brachial plexus block.
UNASSIGNED: This prospective randomized controlled study included 50 patients undergoing upper limb surgeries under supraclavicular brachial plexus block randomly divided into two groups. Group D25 received 29 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine +25 μg dexmedetomidine diluted in 1 mL of normal saline (total 30 mL); Group D50 received 29 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine +50 μg dexmedetomidine diluted in 1 mL of normal saline (total 30 mL). Onset and duration of sensorimotor block, duration of analgesia, and time interval for the rescue analgesia and hemodynamic stability were observed.
UNASSIGNED: The mean onset of motor and sensory block was significantly higher in the D25 group (P = 0.001). The Visual Analog Scale pain scores and rescue analgesia consumption were significantly lower in the D50 group (P = 0.013, 0.001). The duration of analgesia was significantly higher in the D50 group (P = 0.001).
UNASSIGNED: Dexmedetomidine 50 μg is an effective adjuvant dose to ropivacaine with insignificant hemodynamic changes with better duration of analgesia and lesser pain scores.

BACKGROUND: Pulse perfusion index (PI) reflects blood perfusion. It has been reported that PI can be used to evaluate the effect of nerve block, but currently, it is mainly focused on awake adults. In pediatric general anesthesia, it has been reported that PI can evaluate the effect of the sacral block. Still, there is a lack of relevant research on the impact of brachial plexus blocks. Our objective is to assess the prediction effects of PI on the success of supraclavicular brachial plexus block in pediatric patients under sevoflurane or propofol general anesthesia.
METHODS: This is a mono-center, parallel, 2-arm randomized superiority trial. One hundred four children aged 1 month to 12 years who undergo upper limb surgery will be enrolled in this study. According to anesthesia induction and maintenance medication, they will be divided into sevoflurane and propofol groups. The PI values of the index and little finger will be recorded on the blocked and non-blocked sides of supraclavicular brachial plexus block (SCB) in all children. The primary outcome is to assess the effects of PI on the success of supraclavicular brachial plexus block in pediatric patients under sevoflurane or propofol general anesthesia. The secondary outcome includes mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), and correlation between baseline PI and 10 min after SCB (PI ratio).
CONCLUSIONS: This trial will provide evidence on the changes in PI after SCB in sevoflurane or propofol anesthesia in children. SCB may lead to changes in PI values under sevoflurane or propofol anesthesia. After the children wake up at the end of the surgery, the changes in PI values on the block side and non-block side may be helpful to judge the effect of nerve block when excluding the influence of anesthetics.
BACKGROUND: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04216823 . Registered on 15 July 2020.

UNASSIGNED: Levobupivacaine, a less cardiotoxic s-isomer of bupivacaine, is proved to be similar to bupivacaine, hence, proposed as a safer alternative for nerve blocks. We aimed to evaluate the effect of perineural and intravenous dexmedetomidine on characteristics of ultrasound-guided supraclavicular brachial plexus block (BPB) performed with levobupivacaine. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of perineural and intravenous dexmedetomidine on characteristics of ultrasound-guided supraclavicular BPB performed with levobupivacaine.
UNASSIGNED: A prospective, randomized double-blind control trial done on 120 patients undergoing elective upper limb surgical procedures under supraclavicular BPB. The enrolled patients were allocated to one of the three groups: Group L - 0.5% levobupivacaine +0.9% normal saline (NS) IV infusion; Group LDI - 0.5% levobupivacaine + dexmedetomidine (1 mcg/kg) in NS IV infusion; and Group LDP - 0.5% levobupivacaine +1 mcg/kg of dexmedetomidine perineural + NS IV infusion. The onset and duration of sensory and motor blockade were recorded in minutes. One-way ANOVA was used to observe any differences between the groups, and post hoc comparisons were conducted after Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons.
UNASSIGNED: The onset of sensory and motor blockade in Group LDP was significantly shorter than Group L and Group LDI. The duration of sensory blockade in Group LDP was significantly longer than Group LDI and Group L. The duration of motor blockade in Group LDP was prolonged compared to Group LDI and Group L.
UNASSIGNED: When dexmedetomidine is added as adjunct to levobupivacaine in supraclavicular BPB, onset of sensory and motor blockade is faster in perineural group, whereas duration of sensory and motor blockade and duration of analgesia are more prolonged when used perineurally than intravenously.

UNASSIGNED: Supraclavicular brachial plexus block offers good operating conditions with limited postoperative analgesia. Magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) and ketamine block peripheral nociception mediated via N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors.
UNASSIGNED: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of MgSO4 and ketamine on the duration of analgesia in brachial block.
UNASSIGNED: This was a prospective, randomized, controlled double-blind study.
UNASSIGNED: One hundred and five adult patients were randomly divided into three groups: Group I = 27 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine; Group II = 27 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine + 250 mg MgSO4; and Group II = 27 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine + 2 mg.kg-1 ketamine. Normal saline was added to make a total volume of 30 mL. The onset and duration of the sensorimotor blockade, quality and duration of postoperative analgesia, and adverse effects were assessed.
UNASSIGNED: Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS, version 17.0 software (SPSS, Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Chi-square test was used for nonparametric and ANOVA for parametric data. Post hoc Student\'s paired t-test was applied wherever indicated. The results were expressed as mean and standard deviation or numbers (%). P < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.
UNASSIGNED: The duration of analgesia was significantly longer in Group II (8.78 ± 0.97 h) compared to Group I (6.76 ± 0.92 h; P < 0.001) and Group III (7.1 ± 0.89 h; P < 0.001). Intervention groups had lower postoperative visual analog scores at 8, 12, and 24 h compared to the control group. Sedation, nystagmus, and hallucinations were observed in Group III.
UNASSIGNED: The addition of MgSO4 to ropivacaine in supraclavicular brachial plexus block significantly prolongs the duration of analgesia. MgSO4 improves the quality of postoperative analgesia with lesser incidence of side effects when compared to ketamine.

UNASSIGNED: Butorphanol and tramadol, the synthetic opioid analgesics, have been used alone or in combination with a local anesthetic in supraclavicular brachial plexus block.
UNASSIGNED: The aim of this study was to evaluate the sensory and motor block characteristics with the addition of tramadol (100 mg) and butorphanol (2 mg) to levobupivacaine for supraclavicular brachial plexus anesthesia.
UNASSIGNED: This study was a prospective, randomized, double-blind, and comparative study.
UNASSIGNED: Patients were randomly allocated to three groups of 30 each. Group A received 0.5% levobupivacaine (25 mL) and saline in 5 mL, Group B received 0.5% levobupivacaine in 30 mL with 100 mg tramadol, and Group C received 0.5% levobupivacaine in 30 mL with 2 mg butorphanol. The duration of sensory block was evaluated as a primary outcome and other parameters as secondary outcomes.
UNASSIGNED: Statistical analyses were performed using Chi-square test for nonparametric data and analysis of variance for parametric data.
UNASSIGNED: Onset time of sensory block was fast and comparable in both Group B and C as compared to Group A (P = 0.000). Group C had the longest duration of sensory block and duration of analgesia followed by Group B and Group A. Group C and Group B showed statistically longer duration of motor block as compared to Group A (P = 0.000). Hemodynamic derangements and adverse effects were comparable.
UNASSIGNED: Butorphanol (2 mg) as an adjuvant to levobupivacaine in supraclavicular block hastens the onset and prolongs the duration of the block as well as postoperative analgesia to a greater extent as compared to the addition of 100 mg tramadol.