Evaluation of Postblock Hypersensitivity Using Quantitative Sensory Testing before, during, and after Axillary Brachial Plexus Block Resolution in Healthy Volunteers
Authors' conclusion
Multimodal pain testing revealed no evidence of general postblock hypersensitivity during resolution of a single-injection axillary brachial plexus block.
Study context
- Population
- Healthy volunteers (age 19 to 64 yr, 60% female)all completed
- Participants
- 40 volunteers
- Comparison
- Previously blocked arm vs contralateral unblocked control arm
- Outcome
- Heat pain threshold to 1 of 10 pain, previously blocked vs control arm
- Follow-up
- 60 min after motor resolution (MR)
Methodological detailswithin-subject controlled (contralateral unblocked arm as control)
- Within-subject controlled (contralateral unblocked arm as control)
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Heat pain threshold to 1 of 10 pain · 60 min after MR
Block
40.8°
± 2.2°C · °C
Control
41.2°
± 2.6°C · °C
P = 0.160
Secondary outcomes
Other sensory modalities · 60 min after motor resolution (MR)
- Only a slightly lower temperature to reach 5 of 10 heat pain in block vs control arm
Maximally sensitized values, including 3 h after MR
- Control arm showed greater sensitivity in punctate pain threshold and painful after sensations
- No greater sensitivity in heat and pressure pain thresholds and tolerances, temporal summation of pain
- Exploratory
Original publication
Evaluation of Postblock Hypersensitivity Using Quantitative Sensory Testing before, during, and after Axillary Brachial Plexus Block Resolution in Healthy Volunteers. Anesthesiology. Published 14 July 2026. doi:10.
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