Safety and effectiveness of ultrasound guided peripheral nerve blocks: Audit at tertiary care hospital

Objective: To assess the safety and effectiveness of peripheral nerve blocks using ultrasound. Methods: The retrospective study was conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, and comprised data of all patients who received peripheral nerve blocks as part of anaesthesia care between January 2015 and January 2017. The data included outcomes of peripheral nerve block effectiveness, complications and limb conditions after the block. Peripheral nerve block effectiveness was assessed by monitoring pain scores at rest and on movement, and the requirement of co-analgesia. Complications, like numbness, motor block, metallic taste, hypotension and respiratory depression, were also assessed. Data was analysed using SPSS 19. Results: There were 299 patients who received ultrasound-guided peripheral nerve blocks. The overall mean age was 44.57±16.64 years. Of the total, 140 (47%) received transversus abdominis plane block, followed by supraclavicular block 49(16.7%). The most common complication in the recovery room was numbness 19 (6.2%). Overall, 70% patients remained pain-free, while 16% had moderate pain on movement 12 hours postoperatively. Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided regional anaesthesia was found to provide effective analgesia during and after surgery. Nerve blocks proved to be safe when used with ultrasound.