Comparison of supplementation rates for perivascular axillary and coracoid infraclavicular blocks in ambulatory upper extremity surgery

Background and Objectives: Efficacy of perivascular axillary block (AXB) and double-stimulation infraclavicular block (ICB) techniques in providing brachial plexus anesthesia have not been previously compared. Methods: After IRB approval, we reviewed a regional anesthesia database to compare supplementation rates for 141 axillary and 157 infraclavicular blocks. Results: Supplementation rates for AXB and ICB were 52% and 20%, respectively (OR = 2.57, 95%CI 1.61 - 4.12). Conversion to general anesthesia was infrequent in both groups although higher in the AXB group (OR = 6.78, 95%CI 1.05 - 43.38). Discussion: Although ICB has significantly higher initial success, AXB provides reliable anesthesia when appropriately supplemented.