BRACHIAL PLEXUS BLOCK IN MAHARAJ NAKORN CHIANG MAI HOSPITAL: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY OF 794 CASES

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Date
2009-09-21
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Chiang Mai Medical Journal
Abstract
Objective: To study the success rate and complication of brachial plexus block in Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital, Thailand. Methods: The anesthetic data of brachial plexus block performed for operations on the upper extremity in the Department of Anesthesiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, from January 2004 to December 2005, were reviewed and analyzed for success rate and complication. Results: The number of supraclavicular brachial plexus blocks performed in this study was 767 from 794 of all cases between 2004 and 2005. The age ranged from 13 to 86 years and hypertension was the most common underlying disease found. Of the 767 patients, 666 (86.83%) were classified as successful, while 101 were failures (13.17%) requiring unplanned general anesthesia. The supraclavicular approach with a nerve stimulator guide, and interscalene and axillary approaches were used in only 27 patients, and the success rate was 77.8 percent (21/27). Supplementary blocks were needed in 74 patients (9.32%); 41 ulnar, 2 median, 4 radial, 13 digital, 9 surgical field and 5 ulnar and median nerve blocks were performed. There was no significant difference of success rate among the groups of different local anesthetics used. The most serious complication was found in only one pneumothorax case (0.13%). Conclusion: Classic supraclavicular plexus block has usually been the anesthesia of choice in Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital for operations on the upper limb. Although the success rate was higher, there was no significant difference to that among different brachial plexus block techniques. The data from anesthetic records were incomplete and did not conclude the factors of success in brachial plexus block.
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Chiang Mai Medical Journal; Vol.46 No.4 December 2007 (pages 129 - 160); 135 - 140
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https://imsear.searo.who.int/handle/123456789/130553
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Chiang Mai Medical Journal