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Continuous regional block increases length of stay after upper extremity arthroplasty
Patients who received a continuous brachial plexus block while undergoing upper extremity arthroplasty had an increased incidence of potential barriers to discharge as well as an increased length of stay compared with patients who received single-shot regional anesthesia, according to recent data.
Researchers divided 697 patients undergoing upper extremity arthroplasty into groups based on administration of regional block, whether as a single injection (74%) or a continuous (26%) perineural brachial plexus block. They then compared the rate of complications and incidence of potential barriers to discharge and length of stay between the two groups.
Patients with an indwelling catheter were more likely to exhibit potential barriers to discharge and a longer length of stay vs. patients in the single injection group. While patients with an indwelling catheter were more likely to experience arterial oxygen desaturation and less likely to be event free, researchers also found patients in the single injection group were more likely to experience confusion. However, patients in the single injection group were less likely to experience agitation, according to results. – by Casey Tingle
Disclosures: Thompson reports no relevant financial disclosures. Please see the full study for a list of all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.