Comparison of ulltrasound guided brachial plexus blockage with general anesthesia and cost analysýs

INTRODUCTION: In this study, we aimed to determine which method was superior; general anaesthesia versus brachial plexus block anaesthesia in patients undergoing upper extremity surgery in terms of anaesthesia quality, postoperative complications, patient comfort, patient satisfaction, and cost as in the contemporary world where economical use of resources have become more and more important.
METHODS: This study was taken up after local ethics committee approval (12.11.2014 date and No. 2). Among the cases scheduled for upper extremity surgery, 60 patients who are in ASA I-II groups according to the classifications of the American Society of Anaesthetists (ASA), between the ages of 18-65, for whom emergency or elective, single-sided hand, forearm or arm surgery with brachial plexus blockade or general aesthesia planned were included in the study. Two cases were separated into two groups by application order. USG guided peripheral nerve block was done in the first group (BPB group). The other group underwent general anaesthesia (GA group).
RESULTS: When the two groups were compared in terms of cost, BPB group was found to be significantly lower than GA Group.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: in upper extremity surgery, because brachial plexus blockage provides higher patient satisfaction, better VAS values in acute post-operative period, observation of lesser nausea and vomiting and is more economic compared to general anaesthesia, we believe, regional blocks must be used more often by being included in the routine practices.