Abstract
Background and Objectives: Supraclavicular block is the most effective block of brachial plexus. It provides enough anesthesia to perform all upper extremity operations except shoulder surgeries. The purpose of this study is to determine the incidence of complications occurring during this kind of block in our hospital.
Materials and Methods: In a prospective (clinical trial) study, eighty patients (57 males and 23 females)17-70 years of age (average 38 years) underwent supraclavicular block for upper extremity surgery, from mehr 81 till khordad 82 in ٍٍShohada hospital (Tabriz-IRAN).In this study the probable complications were collected by questionnaire.
Results: Complications occurred in 43% of patients. The most common complications was Horners syndrome (34%), and Hematoma (8.8%) Vascular injuries (2.5%).Other possible complications such as pneumothorax , symptomatic phrenic nerve block, nerve injury and drug intoxication did not occur in our study. The rate of hematoma formation was directly related to the number of needle punctures (P = 0/04). And it was fourteen times more common in multiple puncture than in single puncture.
Conclusion: Combining classic and perivascular techniques was more efficient and the rate of failure and complications was reduced.
With attention to the entrance point and evitation of excessive needle advancement after the beginning of paresthesia the rate of failure and complication can be reduced.