Niazi Gazani Masoud, Mortasavi Mir Mohammad Taghi, Movassaghi Gargari Reza, Ansari Maarouf, Shahgoli Seyedabolhasan, Ghorbanian Naser.
Complications of supraclavicular block of brachial plexus using compound classic and perivascular techniques.
Rawal Med J Jan ;32(1):60-2.

Objectives: To determine the incidence of complications occurring during Supraclavicular block of brachial plexus in our hospital. Materials and Methods: In this prospective, clinical trial, three-hundred twenty patients (228 males and 92 females) 17-70 years of age (average 38 years) underwent supraclavicular block for upper extremity surgery, from October 2003 to October 2005 in Shohada hospital, Tabriz Iran. The supraclavicular block was performed by combination of classic and perivascular techniques. All patients received 40 mL of 1% lidocaine (400 mg). Probable complications were surveyed by a questionnaire. The data were analyzed using SPSS software. Results: Complications occurred in 45.3% of patients. The most common complications was Horner’s syndrome (34%), hematoma (8.8%) and vascular injuries (2.5%). The rate of hematoma formation was directly related to the number of needle punctures (P = 0/000) 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 were fewer. With attention to the entrance point and avoidance of excessive needle advancement after the beginning of paresthesia and slow injection of drug, the rate of failure and complication can be reduced. (Rawal Med J 2007;32:60-62)

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