Comparision of nerve stimulator and ultrasonography as the techniques applied for brachial plexus anesthesia

60 patients scheduled for surgery of the forearm or hand were randomly allocated into two groups (n = 30 per group). For Group 1; US, and for Group 2 PNS was applied. The quality and the onset of the sensorial and motor blockade were assessed. The sensorial blockade, motor blockade time and quality of blockade were compared among the cases.The time needed to perform the axillary brachial plexus block averaged is similar in both groups (p > 0.05). Although not significant statistically, it was observed that the sensory block had formed earlier in Group 1 (p > 0.05). But the degree of motor blockade was intenser in Group 1 than in Group 2 (p < 0.05).Ultrasound offers a new possibility for identifiying the nerves of the brachial plexus for regional anesthesia. The ultrasound-guided axillary brachial plexus block is a safe method with faster onset time and better quality of motor blockade compared to peripheral nerve stimulation technique.Regional anaesthesia can be defined as removing nerve conduction and pain at the certain parts of a body without causing sensory loss [1]. A method of regional anaesthesia used for this purpose is brachial plexus block that is applied in operations to be carried out on the 1/3 distal part of upper extremities as well as hands, forearms and arms. It is known that the first brachial plexus block was applied in 1884 by RJ Hall upon exploration and sight of the plexus and by injecting cocaine to provide infiltration anaesthesia. Many other methods have been described until today since Hirschel's application of the blinding axillary block in 1911 [2,3].Brachial plexus can be blocked through various anatomical approaches such as interscalene, supraclavicular, infraclavicular and axillary approaches. Axillary block techniques can be applied by using transarterial fixation, paresthesia or nerve stimulator [4]. Current techniques available for nerve localization mark anatomical indicators for the estimated location of brachial plexus. As well a