Skin Perfusion Changes within 12 h after Axillary Plexus Block.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: An improvement of the blood flow would be beneficial in microvascular upper-extremity reconstruction and in digit replantation. In the present work, skin perfusion changes and their duration due to axillary plexus block were quantified.

METHODS

The peripheral blood flow of the upper extremities in 20 patients undergoing trapeziectomy under axillary plexus block was analyzed.

RESULTS

Laser Doppler spectrophotometry was used to measure perfusion factors over a 12-h period, with the contralateral hand acting as the control. Axillary plexus block produced a significant increase of peripheral oxygen saturation (117 ± 35% vs. control 93 ± 22%, p = 0.019), peripheral blood flow (220 ± 166% vs. 130 ± 77%, p = 0.037), and velocity (164 ± 58% vs. 117 ± 45%, p = 0.011).

CONCLUSION

Axillary plexus block produces an improvement of peripheral tissue oxygen saturation of the upper extremities over the first 6 h after the inception of anesthesia. This suggests a potential benefit especially for critically perfused tissues.