A clinical study of modified subclavicular brachial plexus block with localized puncture at the apex of the axilla

Objective To study the feasibility of subclavicular brachial plexus block with localized puncture at the apex of the axilla.Methods 520 adult patients who underwent upper limb emergency surgery were randomly assigned to receive subclavicular brachial plexus block with localized puncture at the apex of the axilla ( experimental group) and block anesthesia with intraclavicular route ( control group).Patients in both groups received 0.375% ropivacaine, volume (40.0± 2.7)ml.During the 30 minutes after the blockade, the onset and effect of motor and sensory block, the sensory block effect of each nerve branches and integrated effect of nerve block were recorded.The VAS score and acesodyne duration with tourniquet were compared between the two groups at 2, 4, 6 and 8 hours after the drug had been used for 30 minutes.Results Within 30 minutes after the drug was delivered, the onset of motor and sensory block in the experimental group was evidently shorter than that in the control group, while the duration of motor and sensory block was evidently longer ( P ＜ 0.01).There were no statistically significant differences in motor and sensory block score, median nerve block effect and ulnar nerve block effect between the two groups.The musculocutaneous nerve and radial nerve block effects in the experimental group were better than those in the control group ( P ＜ 0.05).After the drug had been used for 30 minutes, VAS score of the experimental group at each point time was significantly lower than that of the oontrol group ( P ＜0.01).The analgesia duration of tourniquet in the experimental group was significantly longer than that of the control group ( P ＜ 0.01 ).Conclusion The modified subclavicular brachial plexus block with localized puncture at the apex of the axilla can provide perfect blockade, satisfactory anesthetic effect and higher safety in upper limb surgery. Key words: Anesthesia; Brachial plexus; Clavicle; Neuromuscular blockade