Evaluation of ultrasound guided supraclavicular block with traditional methods and perfusion index on upper extremity surgeries

INTRODUCTION: In recent years, many studies have been conducted on the perfusion index (PI) in the evaluation of block success. Aim of this study is to assess the success and efficiency of supraclavicular block by perfusion index. METHODS: After the approval of the ethics committee for the study; 30 volunteer orthopedics and traumatology patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) I-II, 18-70 years who are gonna have hand, wrist, forearm, elbow and arm surgery, were included in the study. In this prospective study; after ultrasound guided supraclavicular block has been applied by enjecting local anesthetic that consists of prilocaine 12.5 ml+bupivacaine 12.5 ml to all patients,sensory block was checkhed with pin-prick test every 3 minute, motor block was checked by using modified Bromage scale every 2 minute,hemodynamic parameters and PI values were recorded on 0th,5th,10th,15th,20th,25th,30th minutes. RESULTS: When the measured perfusion index values were compared, the differences were significant. When the PI measurements were compared in pairs, the differences between basal and 5th min,10 min,15 min,20 min,25 min and 30 min were significant. Positivity time for pin-prick test was 8.83+-2.70 min,motor blok onset time was 6.7+-2.89 min,total motor block onset time was 10.83+-3.07 min.In the 5 th minute PI values, an average increase of 148% was observed compared to basal PI values. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The supraclavicular block provided faster sensory-motor block than other upper extremity blocks.It was concluded that perfusion index was faster,more objective and simpler than traditional methods on assessment of block success, because of vasodilatation that is occured before sensory and motor block.