Supraclavicular brachial plexus block as a sole anaesthetic technique in children: an analysis of 200 cases

Classical supraclavicular brachial plexus block was used as the sole anaest hetic technique in 200 children aged between 5 and 12 years undergoing clos ed reduction of arm fractures. The local anaesthetic used was lidocaine 1.5 % with epinephrine. The block was graded as satisfactory if surgical manipu lation could be performed without discomfort and unsatisfactory if general anaesthesia had to be given. In 182 children, the procedure was carried out under the block alone, whereas the remaining 18 patients required general anaesthesia. The mean (SD) time required for performing the block 9.1 as 9. 1 (3.7) min and the mean (SD) time to sensory blockade was 8.3 (2.3) min. T he mean duration of analgesia was approximate to 3.5 h. There were few comp lications, with no incidence of pneumothorax in any patient. The acceptabil ity of the block by the children and the parents was 72 and 85%, respective ly The classical supraclavicular brachial plexus block was found to be acce ptable, effective and with a good success rate.