Impact of supraclavicular versus axillary brachial plexus block on long-term pain, functionality, and return-to-work outcomes in 6692 surgical procedures
Authors' conclusion
The current study reports no superiority of one block over the other in terms of long-term postoperative pain, functionality, and return-to-work outcome.
Study context
- Population
- ASA 1–2 patients undergoing elective day-case distal upper extremity surgery in 22 private hand surgery centres, November 2011 to May 2016
- Participants
- 6,692 participants · 22 centres
- Exposure
- Supraclavicular vs axillary brachial plexus block
- Outcome
- Pain and functionality rating scales; time to return to work
- Follow-up
- Preoperatively, day 1, 6 weeks, 3 and 12 months postoperatively
Methodological detailsmulticentre
- Multicentre
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Pain and functionality scores · 6 weeks up to 12 months
- No difference in pain and functionality scores between supraclavicular and axillary block from 6 weeks up to 12 months postoperatively
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
- Less pain following axillary block at day 1 and during use at 6 weeks
Original publication
Impact of supraclavicular versus axillary brachial plexus block on long-term pain, functionality, and return-to-work outcomes in 6692 surgical procedures. Eur J Anaesthesiol Intensive Care. Published 29 July 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →