Comparison of outcome of the conventional approach versus the new needle guidance device to perform ultrasound-guided supraclavicular brachial plexus blockade for forearm surgeries

Patients who are fulfilling inclusion criteria will be randomly allocated to two groups based on computer generated

randomisation

Group C

Conventional method:

The probe will be placed lateral to the larynx to visualise the carotid artery and internal jugular vein and

the probe will be moved sideways, the nerve structures in the interscalene groove will become visible.

The probe will then be moved away from the interscalene position to a supraclavicular position. The

subclavian artery will be visualised and will be confirmed by color Doppler. The entire brachial plexus

near the artery will then be visualised. A 23G Quincke needle will be inserted using an in-plane approach.

The local anaesthetic solution will be injected after careful aspiration and will be seen encircling the

trunks. If the local anaesthetic does not spread in the right direction, the needle will be repositioned

accordingly.

Group N

NEEDLE GUIDANCE DEVICE:

The ultrasound and NGD complex is used to scan the nerve to be blocked. When the target nerve is

visualized, the depth of the target nerve and the approach (in plane or out of plane approach ) to

access the nerve is decided. Based on these findings one among the two in-plane needle entry port

would be used depending on the depth of the target nerve to be blocked. Once when the tip of the

needle is close to the target nerve the local anesthetic is injected and spread of the drug around thenerve is visualized.