DR HANAN U NABI , DR MEHTAB AHMED KHAN , DR ZEMAL TARIQ , DR MUHAMMAD JAWAD , DR SYED MEHMOOD ALI , DR ARFAT KHAWAR
DOI: https://doi.org/Objective: To compare the infraclavicular BPB with the supraclavicular BPB in terms of block performance time and time to onset of sensory and motor block in upper limb surgeries under ultrasound guidance.
Study design: Randomized controlled trial
Place and duration: Department of Anesthesia and ICU, Shaikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore, during May 2025 and September 2025.
Methodology: After obtaining written informed consent, 184 patients who met the selection criteria were enrolled. Patients were divided into two equal-number groups—92 in each group—by lottery. Under ultrasound guidance, patients in Group B underwent infraclavicular BPB, while those in Group A underwent supraclavicular BPB. Results were evaluated and statistically examined.
Results: Patients in Group A and Group B had median ages of 36 (15) and 36 (11) years, respectively. The median time to sensory block onset was 18 (3) minutes versus 15 (2) minutes (p < 0.001), the median time to onset of motor block was 16 (3) minutes versus 17 (4) minutes (p > 0.046), and the median block performance time was 9 (3) minutes in Group A and 14 (2) minutes in Group B (p < 0.001).
Conclusions: Compared to SC BPB, IC BPB under ultrasound guidance had a significantly longer block performance time but a much shorter onset of sensory and motor block.
