PERCEPTIONS OF SIDE-EFFECTS FOLLOWING AXILLARY BLOCK USED FOR OUTPATIENT SURGERY

Background and Objectives. The study evaluated patient perceptions of side effects related to axillary block (AB) and how they might influen ce a patient's decisions about subsequent ABs. Methods. A questionnair e concerning the occurrence and duration of side effects following AB and patient preference for a subsequent AB was completed and returned by each of 1,149 patients. All ABs were performed using a 22 gauge sho rt bevel needle. Ln all 86.5% had orthopedic surgery, with the remaind er vascular access procedures. Three AB techniques and two anesthetic solutions were used. Results. Patient-reported incidences of side effe cts were bruising, 19.1%; soreness, 39.7%; persistent numbness, 11.0%; and nausea, 10.8%. Bruising was reported more frequently by female pa tients, those undergoing orthopedic procedures, and those between 20 a nd 30 and over 80 years of age. Soreness was reported more frequently in orthopedic procedures and by those aged 20 to 30. Technique used di d not affect the incidence of side effects or patient willingness to h ave a repeat AB. Ninety-three percent expressed willingness to have an other AB; this was affected by whether the patient experienced a side effect, the duration of the side effect, and by the number of side eff ects experienced. Those between the ages of 20 and 40 were less willin g to have another AB. Conclusions. Even though 51% of the patients rep orted at least one side effect, 93% would choose to have another AB, i ndicating a high overall satisfaction with AB anesthesia, which signif icantly decreased as the number and duration of side effects increased .