Korean J Pain.  2011 Sep;24(3):158-163. 10.3344/kjp.2011.24.3.158.

The Effects of Postoperative Brachial Plexus Block Using MgSO4 on the Postoperative Pain after Upper Extremity Surgery

• Choi IG
• Choi YS
• Kim YH
• Min JH
• Chae YK
• Lee YK
• Ahn SW
• Kim YS
• Lee A

• KMID: 2278105
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3344/kjp.2011.24.3.158

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Although a brachial plexus block can be used to provide anesthesia and analgesia for upper extremity surgery, its effects using MgSO4 on postoperative pain management have not been reported. The aim of this study was to evaluate brachial plexus block using MgSO4 on postoperative analgesia.
METHODS
Thirty-eight patients who were scheduled to undergo upper extremity surgery were randomly allocated into two groups: patients receiving axillary brachial plexus block with 0.2% ropivacaine 20 ml and normal saline 2 ml (group S) or 0.2% ropivacaine 20 ml and MgSO4 200 mg (group M). Before extubation, the blocks were done and patient controlled analgesia was started, and then, the patients were transported to a postanesthetic care unit. The postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS), opioid consumption, and side effects were recorded.
RESULTS
The two groups were similar regarding the demographic variables and the duration of the surgery. No differences in VAS scores were observed between the two groups. There was no statistically significant difference in opioid consumption between the two groups. Nausea was observed in three patients for each group.
CONCLUSIONS
Axillary brachial plexus block using MgSO4 did not reduce the level of postoperative pain and opioid consumption.

Keyword

analgesia; brachial plexus; magnesium sulfate; upper extremity

MeSH Terms

Amides
Analgesia
Analgesia, Patient-Controlled
Anesthesia and Analgesia
Brachial Plexus
Humans
Magnesium Sulfate
Nausea
Pain, Postoperative
Upper Extremity
Amides
Magnesium Sulfate

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Postoperative pain scores on a visual analogue scale (VAS). Brachial plexus block was performed using 20 ml of 0.2% ropivacaine, added normal saline 2 ml in group S, MgSO4 200 mg in group M. There were no significant difference between the two groups. Data are expressed as mean ± SD.

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