New Approach to Brachial Plexus Block for Upper Arm Surgery

Abstract

This study was conducted in western Hospital and research centre Nepalgunj from 2007 to 2010. It was a prospective non randomized study consisting 250 patient of both sex and aged between 18 and 67 years with ASA (American Society of Anaesthesiologist) grade I and II scheduled for upper arm surgery. The subjects were given brachial plexus block on sitting position with their head tilted to opposite side of the block. In this technique 3 cm long 23 gauge needle was inserted from the point above clavicle to the lateral to subclavian artery pulsation, direction of needle was towards spinous process of 7th cervical vertebra. This procedure was done in 250 patients. Out of 250 patients 246 patients experienced paresthesia and pain relief after 20 ml solution (mixture of 5 ml 0.5% bupivacaine, 5 ml 2% xylocaine with adrenalin and 10ml normal saline). The onset of sensory block onset was observed to be 6.32±0.94 minutes and duration of sensory block was 2.5 to 4.2 hours. Similarly, the onset of motor block was 10.72±1.0 minutes and duration of action was 0.5 to 2.5 hours.