Comparison of RIVA and infraclavicular block in forearm and hand surgery

Abstract

INTRODUCTION[|]The aim of this study was to compare two techniques including regional intravenous anesthesia (RIVA) and infraclavicular brachial block that are widely used in upper extremity forearm wrist and hand surgery.[¤]METHODS[|]100 patients were included that were at age between 18-85 and decided to undergo forearm wrist and hand surgery for at least 30 minutes. RIVA was applied to group 1 by administration of 40 ml of prilocaine (3mg/kg) to patients. In addition, ultrasonography-guided infraclavicular block was performed by treating patients (group 2) with 20 mL of 1% prilocaine. These two methods were compared considering a number of aspects including application time of anesthesia and analgesic effectiveness of treatment in patients during administration of anesthesia, peroperative and postoperative period. [¤]RESULTS[|]Rates of mild and complete sensory loss in group 2 at10th and 15th minutes were significantly higher than group 1. Ratio of scoring less than 2 levels by modified bromage grading system in group 2 was seen considerably greater than in group 1. Processing time was significantly longer in group 1 compared to group 2. [¤]DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION[|]We determined that infraclavicular brachial block is better than RIVA method regarding comparison of their duration of application and whether easy to apply. [¤]

Keywords

• riva
• infraclavicular brachial block
• upper extremity surgery
• regional anesthesia