Anesth Analg 2006;102:1856-1858
© 2006 International Anesthesia Research Society
doi: 10.1213/01.ane.0000216281.62141.9d
REGIONAL ANESTHESIA
A Comparison Between Double-Injection Axillary Brachial Plexus Block and Midhumeral Block for Emergency Upper Limb Surgery
Régis Fuzier, MD,
Olivier Fourcade, MD, PhD,
Antoine Pianezza, MD,
Marie-Luce Gilbert, MD,
Vincent Bounes, MD, and
Michel Olivier, MD
Department of Anesthesiology and Emergency Care. University Hospital Center. Purpan Hospital, Toulouse, France
Address correspondence and reprint requests to Régis Fuzier, MD, Department of Anesthesiology, CHU Purpan, Place Dr Baylac, TSA 40031, F-31059 Toulouse cedex, France. Address e-mail to fuzier.r{at}chu-toulouse.fr.
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Abstract
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In this prospective and randomized study, we compared a double-injection axillary (median and radial nerves) block with a midhumeral block in 90 patients undergoing emergency upper limb surgery. Time to perform the block, success rate, and patient tolerance were evaluated. The time to perform the block was 5 min longer in the midhumeral group. The success rate was similar in both groups (80% and 91% in groups axillary and midhumeral respectively), except for the musculocutaneous nerve. Patient tolerance was better in the axillary group. Double-injection axillary brachial plexus block is superior to midhumeral block for emergency hand surgery.
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Introduction
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In emergency surgery, axillary and midhumeral brachial plexus blocks represent more than 50% of all regional anesthesia techniques performed (1). The choice between the two approaches remains controversial. Only three prospective studies have compared these two techniques, with different methodology and results (2–4). In a double-injection axillary block, injection of local anesthetic on the median and radial nerves is mandatory (5), whereas all four nerves are identified using the midhumeral approach. Several studies suggest that block discomfort is reduced by fewer injections (6). In this prospective and randomized study, we compared the efficacy and patient acceptance of the midhumeral block described by Dupre (7) to the double-injection axillary brachial plexus block described by Sia et al. (4).
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Methods
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After informed patient consent and institutional approval, 90 ASA I-III patients undergoing emergency surgery below the elbow were included in this study. Exclusion criteria were coma, usual contraindications to regional anesthesia techniques, or multiple injuries. Midhumeral and axillary brachial plexus blocks were performed according to Dupré and Sia et al.’s description (5,7). After randomization, 40 mL of 0.75% ropivacaine was equally and slowly injected, after negative aspiration test for blood, on 2 (median, then radial nerves, group axillary (A), n = 45) or on 4 (median, radial, ulnar, then musculocutaneous nerves, group midhumeral (H), n = 45) nerves through a short bevel 50-mm insulated needle using a nerve stimulator technique. In both groups, nerve stimulation began at 1.5 mA, 2 Hz, and 100 µs and the needle position was judged adequate when output 
0.5 mA still elicited a motor response. In case of vascular puncture, a new insertion was attempted.
At the end of the injection, each patient was asked to evaluate the block on a verbal rating scale from 1 = comfortable to 4 = intolerable. The time to perform the block was defined as the time from the initial insertion of the needle to its removal. The sensory onset time of the block was assessed in all the upper limb areas (except axillary) every 5 min until 30 min after the last injection. Sensory block was assessed with a 25-gauge needle and defined as normal (score 0), analgesia (score 1), or anesthesia (score 2). The block was assessed as complete if analgesia or anesthesia was observed at 30 min in all the sensory areas below the elbow. Motor block was assessed every 5 min until 30 min for 4 motor nerves and scored 0 = no motor block; 1 = minor movements; 2 = no movement. Adverse effects were recorded. After 30 min, in case of incomplete block, the unblocked nerve(s) implicated in the surgical site were blocked at the elbow level. Patients were declared ready for surgery when they had a complete block (analgesia in all areas necessary for surgery). In case of failure, general anesthesia was performed.
Primary and secondary block effectiveness was calculated as the percentage of patients in each group in whom a complete block was obtained at 30 min or who had surgical analgesia after supplementary blocks.
Quantitative variables were expressed as mean ± sd. Qualitative variables were expressed as number (%). Student’s t-test, Fisher’s exact test, 
2 test, or Mann-Whitney U-test was used as appropriate to compare the two groups. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
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Results
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No difference between the groups was found with regard to demographic data or surgical site (Table 1).
No patient was excluded from the study because of absence of muscular response during nerve stimulation. Patients in group A were ready for surgery 5 min before those in group H (22 ± 6 min in group A versus 27 ± 9 min in group H, P < 0.01) and also judged the technique more comfortable than did those in group H (P < 0.05, Table 2).
Primary and secondary block effectiveness was similar in both groups (Table 2). Among the different nerve (Table 3), a greater success rate and a shorter onset of sensory block for anesthetizing the musculocutaneous nerve were seen in Group H. The rate of motor block was similar for the 3 nerves, except for the musculocutaneous nerve (Table 4).
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Discussion
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The main result of this study was that a double-injection axillary brachial plexus block was superior to midhumeral block for emergency hand surgery. This finding is consistent with previous studies examining midhumeral and axillary blocks using from 1 to 4 injections of nerves of interest. Bouaziz et al. (2) concluded that the midhumeral approach was superior to axillary block when only one nerve innervating the surgical site plus the musculocutaneous nerve were blocked (Lavoie’s approach) (8). Unfortunately, Lavoie’s approach is not recommended, particularly because of frequent failure of the radial nerve block (2,9). In contrast, both midhumeral and 4-injection axillary blocks provided frequent success and rapid onset (3). We studied a double-injection axillary block, as this offers a similar success rate to 3- and 4-injection axillary block but with the added advantage of fewer injections (3,4). Thus, we were able to confirm that 2-injection axillary block provides similar success to 4-injection midhumeral block but with the advantages of fewer needle entries, faster performance time (a 5-minute difference is clinically relevant for patient comfort in an emergency situation), and better patient tolerance, provided the musculocutaneous nerve does not need to be blocked.
In our study using ropivacaine, the onset time of sensory block was 14 minutes in both groups, which is very similar to that found with lidocaine (2,3). Ropivacaine appears to be the local anesthetic of choice for block performed in the emergency setting when prolonged postoperative analgesia is requested.
In conclusion, the double-injection axillary brachial plexus block performed with ropivacaine is superior for emergency hand surgery, as compared with the midhumeral block: the time to perform the block is diminished and the patient’s acceptance is increased. However, a supplemental block of the musculocutaneous nerve may be necessary in 20% of cases, when its cutaneous distribution is involved in the surgical area.
The authors thank Jame Torrie, MD, for her invaluable help in preparing the manuscript.
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Footnotes
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Accepted for publication January 31, 2006.
Presented at the 2005 Annual Meeting of the ASA, New Orleans, Louisiana.
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References
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- Fuzier R, Tissot B, Mercier-Fuzier V, et al. Evaluation of regional anesthesia procedure in an emergency department. Ann Fr Anesth Reanim 2002;21:193–7.[ISI][Medline]
- Bouaziz H, Narchi P, Mercier FJ, et al. Comparison between conventional axillary block and a new approach at the midhumeral level. Anesth Analg 1997;84:1058–62.[Abstract]
- Sia S, Lepri A, Campolo MC, Fiaschi R. Four-injection brachial plexus block using peripheral nerve stimulator: a comparison between axillary and humeral approaches. Anesth Analg 2002;95:1075–9.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- March X, Pardina B, Torres-Bahi S, et al. A comparison of a triple-injection axillary brachial plexus block with the humeral approach. Reg Anesth Pain Med 2003;28:504–8.[Medline]
- Sia S, Lepri A, Ponzecchi P. Axillary brachial plexus block using peripheral nerve stimulator: a comparison between double-and triple-injection techniques. Reg Anesth Pain Med 2001;26:499–503.[ISI][Medline]
- Koscielniak-Nielsen ZJ, Rotboll-Nielsen P, Rassmussen H. Patients’ experiences with multiple stimulation axillary block for fast-track ambulatory hand surgery. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand 2002;46:789–93.[ISI][Medline]
- Dupre LJ. Bloc du plexus brachial au canal huméral. Cah Anesthesiol 1994;42:767–9.[Medline]
- Lavoie J, Martin R, Tetrault JP, et al. Axillary plexus block using a peripheral nerve stimulator: single or multiple injections. Can J Anaesth 1992;39:583–6.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- Coventry DM, Barker KF, Thomson M. Comparison of two neurostimulation techniques for axillary brachial plexus blockade. Br J Anaesth 2001;86:80–3.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
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Abstract
Introduction
