Superior interscalene brachial plexus block oriented by nerve stimulator in shoulder surgery

Objective To compare the clinical affects of superior interscalene brachial plexus blockade with traditional interscalene brachial plexus block,which are all oriented by peripheral nerve stimulator in shoulder surgery.Methods Sixty-two adult patients undergoing elective shoulder surgery were divided into group I and group Ⅱ.Group I underwent traditional interscalene brachial plexus block and group Ⅱ specific superior interscalene brachial plexus block procedure.Two groups were all given 0.5% ropivacaine as local anesthesia.The monitor results were recorded and the clinical effects were assessed.Results The clinical effects between the two groups had significant difference(P0.01).In group I there were 52% of complete block,35% had no complete brachial plexus block,13% failed,had to change into general anesthesia.In group II 84% got complete brachial plexus block,16% not complete block,and no failed case.Conclusion Superior interscalene brachial plexus block is a safer,accurater and more convinent anesthesia method for shoulder surgery.