The results of this study suggest that the use of a background infusion with PCEA during labor leads to a greater consumption of anesthetic solution without improving comfort and satisfaction of parturients. Moreover, not using a background infusion does not provide an increased incidence of supplemental boluses (which might cause problems in a busy unit) and allows for a substantial reduction in the cost of analgesia.

We have reported a large series of ultrasound-guided axillary brachial plexus blocks in a multicentre study. Our results confirm the low incidence of local anaesthetic systemic toxicity and postoperative neurological complications as previously described.