Background and aims Ultrasound guided regional anaesthesia provides numerous benefits for patients. There are many factors that affect the choice of anaesthetic technique including patient preference, equipment availability and the competency of the anaesthesiologist. We wanted to see if there was a difference in patient satisfaction with general and regional anaesthesia for upper limb fracture surgery.

Methods This study was approved by Institutional Ethics Committee. 120 patients were scheduled for elective or emergency upper limb fracture. Group I received balanced general anaesthesia, and Group II received ultrasound-guided regional anaesthesia. Pain scores were noted every 2 hours for 24 hours after surgery. Patient satisfaction was measured 24 hours after surgery using the Revised American Pain Society Patient Outcome Questionnaire (APS-POQ-R).

Results Participants were 120 adults (mean age 50 [SD, 17] years; ASA I and ASA II scores; with upper extremity fracture. the two groups were not significantly different in gender (p>0.05), ages (p>0.05) and ASA classification (p>0.05). Postoperative pain scores were significantly less with regional anaesthesia (n=59) vs. general (n=61), at time points (2, 6 and 12 hours after surgery), (p<0.001). After 24 hours, pain scores were similar in both groups. Least and worst pain measured in the first 24 hours were significantly less in RA group, also RA patients spent less time under severe pain in the first 24 hours (p<0.0125). Patient’s satisfaction was significantly better in RA group (p<0.01).

Conclusions We showed a significant beneficial effect in use of regional anaesthesia in comparison to general anaesthesia in upper extremity fracture surgery regarding pain management and patient’s satisfaction.