Application for ESRA Abstract Prizes: I apply as an Anesthesiologist (Aged 35 years old or less)

Background and Aims We aimed to investigate the quality of motor and sensory block, tissue oxygenation measured by Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS), temperature and radial artery diameter change in patients who underwent plexus brachialis block.

Methods Tissue oxygenation value and change (∆NIRS) measured with NIRS probes in both extremities and temperature values measured with infrared thermometer were recorded in 105 patients who underwent interscalene, axillary and infraclavicular blocks. Basal radial artery diameter was measured by ultrasound in the blocked extremity. The quality of sensory and motor block was evaluated according to pinprick and related muscle strength. After the blocking, all data were measured at regular intervals and recorded.

Results In all groups, ΔNIRS values were higher in the blocked extremity from the 2nd minute after the block. A statistically significantly higher Δ NIRS value was found in the infraclavicular group at the 25th minute compared to the interscalene group.The temperature increase in the blocky extremity was significantly higher in the interscalene block group than in the axillary block group. The highest increase in temperature was observed at the 20th minute in the interscalene and axillary groups, and at the 25th minute in the infraclavicular group. There was no difference between the three groups in terms of their effects on the diameter of A. radialis.

Conclusions We think that besides the evaluation of sensory and motor block after plexus brachialis block with traditional methods, monitoring of temperature and tissue oxygenation on the side with block may provide an earlier and easier follow-up of the block.