Skip to main content

Effect of needle size on success of transarterial axillary block.

Publication ,  Journal Article
English, LA; Holmes, JM; Burkard, JF; Vacchiano, CA; Shin, A; Pellegrini, J; Maye, JP
Published in: AANA journal
February 2004

The transarterial approach to brachial plexus block is a well-established method of producing anesthesia of the upper extremity. However, it is associated with a failure rate of 20% to 30%. Failure may be secondary to the common use of a relatively long needle, which can penetrate the posterior wall of the sheath and result in inadvertent injection of the local anesthetic into the surrounding tissue. The purpose of this investigation was to compare success rates following transarterial brachial plexus block with a standard 22-gauge, 1 1/2-in, B bevel needle or a 26-gauge, 1/2-in needle. We enrolled 98 subjects scheduled for elective surgery at or below the elbow and randomized them into 2 groups. The control group received a transarterial axillary block with a standard 22-gauge, 1 1/2-in, B bevel needle, and the experimental group received a transarterial axillary block with a 26-gauge, 1/2-in needle. Success was defined as no discomfort at the time of incision. Success rates were compared using a chi 2 test, and a P value of less than .05 was considered significant. The overall success rate was significantly higher with the 26-gauge, 1/2-in needle (42/48 [88%]) than with the 22-gauge, 1 1/2-in needle (39/49 [69%]; P = .035).

Duke Scholars

Published In

AANA journal

EISSN

2162-5239

ISSN

0094-6354

Publication Date

February 2004

Volume

72

Issue

1

Start / End Page

57 / 60

Related Subject Headings

  • Treatment Failure
  • Nurse Anesthetists
  • Nerve Block
  • Needles
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Female
  • Equipment Design
  • Elective Surgical Procedures
  • Clinical Nursing Research
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
English, L. A., Holmes, J. M., Burkard, J. F., Vacchiano, C. A., Shin, A., Pellegrini, J., & Maye, J. P. (2004). Effect of needle size on success of transarterial axillary block. AANA Journal, 72(1), 57–60.
English, Lorraine A., Johnnie M. Holmes, Joseph F. Burkard, Charles A. Vacchiano, Alexander Shin, Joseph Pellegrini, and John P. Maye. “Effect of needle size on success of transarterial axillary block.AANA Journal 72, no. 1 (February 2004): 57–60.
English LA, Holmes JM, Burkard JF, Vacchiano CA, Shin A, Pellegrini J, et al. Effect of needle size on success of transarterial axillary block. AANA journal. 2004 Feb;72(1):57–60.
English, Lorraine A., et al. “Effect of needle size on success of transarterial axillary block.AANA Journal, vol. 72, no. 1, Feb. 2004, pp. 57–60.
English LA, Holmes JM, Burkard JF, Vacchiano CA, Shin A, Pellegrini J, Maye JP. Effect of needle size on success of transarterial axillary block. AANA journal. 2004 Feb;72(1):57–60.

Published In

AANA journal

EISSN

2162-5239

ISSN

0094-6354

Publication Date

February 2004

Volume

72

Issue

1

Start / End Page

57 / 60

Related Subject Headings

  • Treatment Failure
  • Nurse Anesthetists
  • Nerve Block
  • Needles
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Female
  • Equipment Design
  • Elective Surgical Procedures
  • Clinical Nursing Research