Efficacy and Safety of Two-Level Brachial Plexus Block at Locking Intramedullary Shoulder Osteosynthesis

Abstract

Results of the comparative study of the efficacy and safety of one- and two-level brachial plexus block (BPB) at locking intramedullary shoulder osteosynthesis are presented. Fifty five patients (mean age 43.4±3.2 years) with humeral diaphysis fracture were operated on. In the main group of patients (n=28) two-level BPB was performed: interscalene block was combined with supraclavicular brachial plexus block and superficial brachial plexus block (SBPB). In control group (n=27) one-level interscalene and superficial BPB and SBPB were performed. Severity of pain syndrome was assessed by visual analog scale. It was shown that two-level BPB ensured better anesthetic, postoperative analgesic effect and higher percent of successful regional anesthesias as well as decreased the requirement in narcotic analgesics on the first postoperative day. The number of complications did not differ significantly between the groups.