[Supraclavicular and subaxillar plexusanaesthesias in 821 patients. Efficiency, side-effects and complications under the aspect of the educational--engagement on a medical school (author's transl)].

Abstract

Local anaesthesia of the plexus brachialis has been performed in 821 patients within a period of two years (544 times in supraclavicular and 277 times in subaxillar technique). Effectiveness and side-effects have been evaluated on the base of objective parameters, of the findings of the anaesthetist and of the judgement of the patient. Results have been compared between individual differently experienced anaesthetist. Results demonstrate a good resp. sufficient anaesthetic effectiveness in both kinds of regional anaesthetic method, depending to some extent on the individual experience. Nevertheless complications in form of pneumothorax and lesion of the nerve happen independently of the grade of the experience of the anaesthetist. To avoid the danger of pneumothorax, the subaxillar type of plexus-brachialis-anaesthesia performed as centrally as possible, is preferred to the supraclavicular type. This technique can be recommended widely.