
Hand & Wrist
Effect of brachial plexus blockade vs. general anaesthesia in DRF fixation
This report has been verified
by one or more authors of the
original publication.
Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2016 May;474(5):1247-54
36 patients with closed, displaced, and unstable distal radius fracture were randomized to receive either general anaesthesia or brachial plexus blockade. The purpose of this study was to compare pain scores and analgesic consumption at 2, 4, 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 postoperative hours. Operative time was also recorded. Follow-up was scheduled for 2, 6, and 12 weeks postoperatively to assess, narcotic use, pain scores, and functional assessment scores. Findings indicated significantly greater immediate pain in the general anaesthesia group at 2 postoperative hours compared to the brachial plexus blockade group. In contrast, the results at 12 and 24 postoperative hours demonstrated significantly lower pain in the general anaesthesia group. Recovery duration in the postanaesthesia care unit (PACU) and opioid consumption (fentanyl & morphine) were greater in the general anaesthesia group compared to the brachial plexus blockade group. No significant differences were found between groups for operative suite time or functional assessment scores at 6 or 12 postoperative weeks.
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