Paracoracoid versus Costoclavicular Approach to Infraclavicular Block: A Prospective, Two Arm, Parallel design, Single-centre Randomized Controlled Trial

IntroductionParacoracoid approach to the brachial plexus block is the conventional infraclavicular technique for upper limb surgeries. In this approach, the ultrasound transducer is placed in the parasagittal plane below the clavicle, medial to the coracoid process. In this view, three cords are separated from each other and are rarely visualized in a single ultrasound window. In the costoclavicular approach, the ultrasound transducer is placed parallel to and below the clavicle. In this view, the cords are clustered together, at a more superficial level. We conducted a randomized controlled trial to compare these two infraclavicular brachial plexus approaches. MethodsSeventy patients were randomized to receive either a paracoracoid or costoclavicular infraclavicular block. Both groups received 35 ml of 0.5% ropivacaine under ultrasound guidance. The primary outcome was sensory block onset time while secondary outcomes included performance times, complications during block insertion (paresthesia, vascular puncture, pleural puncture), block failure, patient satisfaction, and postoperative complications. Telephone follow-up was done 24 h and 7 days later. ResultsSensory block onset time was significantly shorter in the paracoracoid group 18.7 (4.4) min versus 22.2 (6.2) min (p=0.045). Block success at 30 minutes was the same between both groups. There was no difference in any secondary outcomes. ConclusionsThis randomized controlled trial demonstrated that the novel costoclavicular approach to the infraclavicular brachial plexus block had similar procedure time, block success and similar complication rates for upper limb surgery when compared to the traditional paracoracoid technique. However, it resulted in longer sensory block onset time.