The Advantages of Employing Single Injection Technique in Axillary Block for Upper Limb Surgery Within Anesthetic Practice

Abstract

Introduction: The axillary plexus block is one of the most used regional anesthesia techniques in upper limb surgery. In this study, we retrospectively evaluated the advantages of using the technique with a single injection in the axillary block, a technique that was used in the Orthopedic Clinic of SCJU between 1.01.2016 and 31.05.2016. Methods: The patients admitted to the study were those with ASA I-III in the number of 50 of which 35 were men and 15 women who underwent axillary brachial plexus block using the single injection technique with the help of the neurostimulator. All patients had surgical interventions in the region of the distal arm, elbow, forearm and hand. The axillary block was performed with the nerve stimulator, using a 22g and 50mm needle, the puncture site used was above the artery where, after obtaining the motor response to the 0.5 mA impulse, Ropivacaine 0.5% 20 ml was injected. Later we analyzed the installation time of the motor and sensory block, what success rate it had and the possible complications. Results: The average motor block installation time was 21+/-1.3 min in the 35 patients. The motor block installation time was 19.2+/-1.5 min and the sensory block a was 16.19+/-1.1 min. block success rate was 91.5 percent. There were no recent or late complications. Conclusions: Axillary plexus block using the single injection technique can be used with great benefits, few complications and low failure rate of the technique.