Background: Successful brachial plexus blocks rely on proper techniques of nerve localization, needle placement, and local anesthetic injection. Standard approaches used today (elicitation of paresthesia or nerve-stimulated muscle contraction), unfortunately, are all "blind" techniques resulting in procedure-related pain and complications. Ultrasound guidance for brachial plexus blocks can potentially improve success and complication rates. This study presents the ultrasound-guided brachial plexus blocks for the first time in Iran in adults and pediatrics.
Methods: In this study ultrasound-guided brachial plexus blocks in 30 patients (25 adults & 5 pediatrics) scheduled for an elective upper extremity surgery, are introduced. Ultrasound imaging was used to identify the brachial plexus before the block, guide the block needle to reach target nerves, and visualize the pattern of local anesthetic spread. Needle position was further confirmed by nerve stimulation before injection. Besides basic variables, block approach, block time, postoperative analgesia duration (VAS<3 was considered as target pain control) opioid consumption during surgery, patient satisfaction and block related complications were reported.
Results: Mean adult age was 35.5±15 and in pediatric group was 5.2±4. Frequency of interscalene, supraclavicular, axillary approaches to brachial plexus in adults was 5, 7, 13 respectively. In pediatrics, only supraclavicular approach was accomplished. Mean postoperative analgesia time in adults was 8.5±4 and in pediatrics was 10.8±2. No block related complication were observed and no supplementary, were needed.

Conclusions: Real-time ultrasound imaging during brachial plexus blocks can facilitate nerve localization and needle placement and examine the pattern and extend of local anesthetic spread.