European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine

Introduction: Upper limb surgeries frequently use the brachial plexus block for anesthetizing the limb. The conventional approach by eliciting paresthesia is a blind procedure that may have a higher failure rate and  cancause damage to the nerves and nearby structures. Peripheral nerve stimulator and ultrasound techniques were introduced to aid in better localization of the nerve/plexus avoiding tissue damage. With excellent localization and increased safety margin, ultrasound has increased the success rate of supraclavicular brachial plexus block. The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of a Peripheral nerve stimulator with Ultrasound for giving Supraclavicular brachial plexus block. Material and Methods: After obtaining the Institutional ethical committee approval and patient consent,a total of 60 patients were enrolled in this prospective randomized study which were randomly divided into two groups in whom Supraclavicular brachial plexus block was given using either  Peripheral nerve stimulator (Group PNS) or Ultrasound (Group USG). Both groups received 15 ml  0.5% Bupivacaine and 10 ml Lignocaine with Adrenaline {2%}[1;200,000]. The  chiefparameters considered were time of onset of sensory and motor block, duration of analgesia ,block failure and complications following block. Results:Demographic data was comparable in both the groups. The mean time of onset of motor block and sensory blockwas  found to be more in Group PNS as compared to Group USG.The duration of sensory and motor blockade was more in group PNS ascompared to group USG . The success rate of the block was higher in ultrasound group than  inPNSgroup however it wasstatisticallyinsignificant. No complications occurred in either group. Conclusion:Ultrasound guidance  is a safe and effective method for giving supraclavicular brachial plexus block with faster onset and more lasting duration of motor and sensory blockade.