Ultrasound-Guided Inter-scalene Brachial Plexus Block with Superficial Cervical Plexus Block Compared with General Anesthesia in Patients Undergoing Clavicular Surgery: A Comparative Analysis

BACKGROUND: General anesthesia is preferred for clavicular surgeries. With the advent of ultrasound-guided technology, interscalene brachial plexus block with superficial cervical nerve block has become a new option for providing intraoperative anesthesia and postoperative analgesia for surgeries of the clavicle. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The present study compares the ultrasound-guided interscalene brachial plexus nerve block combined with superficial cervical nerve block to general anesthesia in clavicular surgery. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This study was a randomized controlled trial in a tertiary care setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 60 patients between 18 and 60 years who were scheduled for clavicular surgeries were randomly and equally divided into Group B and Group G. Group B received ultrasound-guided interscalene brachial plexus block with superficial cervical nerve block. Group G received general anesthesia. Time duration between start of anesthesia to the incision time, intraoperative vitals, and time spent in postanesthesia care unit, postoperative pain scores, postoperative analgesic consumption, and complications were noted and compared. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Statistical analyses were done using SPSS software 20.0. Normality tests were applied, and accordingly, parametric and nonparametric tests were used to calculate the results. RESULTS: The demographic data were comparable in both the groups. Time duration between start of anesthesia to the incision time was significantly more in Group B than in Group G. The time spent in postanesthesia care unit and postoperative pain scores were significantly more in Group G than Group B. Total postoperative opioid consumption was significantly less in Group B than in Group G. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound-guided interscalene brachial plexus block combined with superficial cervical nerve block is a safe and effective mode of anesthesia in comparison to general anesthesia for clavicle surgeries.