Effects of hydrodissection on anesthesia characteristics in ultrasound guided infraclavicular brachial plexus blockade

Abstract Background: The development of ultrasonography technology and its widespread application have increased peripheral nerve block applications, especially in limb surgeries, since it reduces complication rates and increases success rates in peripheral nerve block applications. However, even experienced physicians need to direct a large number of needles and injections for adequate local anesthetic spread, which can cause accidental vascular puncture and local anesthetic systemic toxicity. Such complications can be prevented by hydrodissection and a safer and successful anesthesia can be provided to patients in this study, it was aimed to investigate the effects of hydrodissection on anesthesia characteristics in the infraclavicular brachial plexus blockade. Materials and methods: Ninety patients were included in our study after approval by the Ethics Committee. These patients were randomly divided into 2 groups (Group I: Infraclavicular brachial plexus blockade with normal method and Group II: infraclavicular brachial plexus blockade with hydrodissection). After obtaining patient consent, monitoring and vascular access were provided. Group I patients were mixed with 30 mL of local anesthetic mixture (15 mL of distilled water and 15 mL of 0.5% bupivacaine), and Group II patients were treated with 15 mL of distilled water by hydrodissection and 15 mL of 0.5% bupivacaine anesthesia resident. Block characteristics were evaluated and recorded every 5 minutes for the first 30 minutes by a blinded observer. The sensory block score was 7, the total score was 14 or above, and the block was considered successful, and the patient was ready for surgery. Postoperative block removal times, analgesia, and complications were evaluated and recorded. Results: A significant difference was found between the sensory and motor block onset times and postoperative VAS scores between the normal and hydrodissection groups (P < .05). There were no significant differences in terms of block application times, postoperative block removal times, and complications between the groups. Conclusion: In this study, it has been shown that hydrodissection in peripheral nerve blocks does not lag in terms of block success and characteristics compared to normal methods, whereas anesthetists with less experience in peripheral nerve block experience obtain safer and more successful results in practice.