Supraclavicular Brachial Plexus Nerve Block versus Patient Controlled Analgesia for Post-Operative Pain Management in Forearm Surgery

Abstract

Background: supraclavicular Brachial plexus block is an excellent method for attaining optimal operating conditions for upper limb surgeries by producing complete muscular relaxation, maintaining haemodynamic stability and the associated sympathetic block. Aim of the Work: the purpose of this study was to compare Supraclavicular Brachial plexus nerve block to patient controlled analgesia for postoperative pain management in forearm surgeries. Therefore, we performed a randomized study to compare the efficacy of Supraclavicular Brachial plexus nerve block with that of patient controlled analgesia. Patients and Methods: sixty-four patients presenting to Ain Shams University hospitals for forearm surgeries were enrolled in this prospective randomized study after providing written consents. Participants were instructed about the study protocol and visual analogue scale (VAS). Approval was obtained from the research ethics committee of anesthesia and intensive care department, at Ain Shams University. Results: the results of the study revealed that there is significant difference between supraclvicular brachial plexus block and patient controlled analgesia regarding the postoperative analgesia after forearm surgery. Conclusion: there is significant difference between supraclvicular brachial plexus block and patient controlled analgesia regarding the postoperative analgesia after forearm surgery. Significantly better pain control was observed in the supraclvicular brachial plexus block group. Patient satisfaction was greater in the supraclvicular brachial plexus block group. Nausea and vomiting were observed more frequently in patient controlled analgesia group.