Different Learning Curves for Axillary Brachial Plexus Block: Ultrasound Guidance Versus Nerve Stimulation

Overview

Journal Anesthesiol Res Pract

Publisher Wiley

Specialty Anesthesiology

Date 2011 Feb 15

PMID 21318138

Citations 6

Authors

C Luyet

G Schupfer

M Wipfli

R Greif

M Luginbuhl

U Eichenberger

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Little is known about the learning of the skills needed to perform ultrasound- or nerve stimulator-guided peripheral nerve blocks. The aim of this study was to compare the learning curves of residents trained in ultrasound guidance versus residents trained in nerve stimulation for axillary brachial plexus block. Ten residents with no previous experience with using ultrasound received ultrasound training and another ten residents with no previous experience with using nerve stimulation received nerve stimulation training. The novices' learning curves were generated by retrospective data analysis out of our electronic anaesthesia database. Individual success rates were pooled, and the institutional learning curve was calculated using a bootstrapping technique in combination with a Monte Carlo simulation procedure. The skills required to perform successful ultrasound-guided axillary brachial plexus block can be learnt faster and lead to a higher final success rate compared to nerve stimulator-guided axillary brachial plexus block.

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