AXILLARY BRACHIAL-PLEXUS ANESTHESIA - ELECTRICAL VERSUS COLD SALINE STIMULATION

The aim of this study was to investigate which of two methods of nerve stimulation, cold saline-induced paresthesia or use of a nerve stimul ator, was more effective in increasing the successful brachial plexus block rate by the axillary approach. Twenty patients were randomly ass igned to Group A (saline below 11 degrees C), and 20 patients to Group B (nerve stimulator). All blocks were performed by the same anesthesi ologist using 40 mt of 1.5% mepivacaine and 4 mt of 8.4% sodium bicarb onate. Successful block was defined using Vester-Andersen et al.'s cri teria. Cold saline-induced paresthesiae in the hand or forearm were ob tained in 19 patients (95%) during one of four attempts allowed, and i n 15 patients (75%) on the first attempt. A motor response was evoked by a nerve stimulator in 17 patients (85%). Two patients (10%) had a p aresthesia in the hand without a motor response with the current at le ss than 1 mA. A successful block was achieved in 19 patients in each g roup.