左旋布比卡因与甲磺酸罗派卡因用于断指再植臂丛神经阻滞的疗效比较

目的 比较左旋布比卡因与甲磺酸罗哌卡因用于肌间沟臂丛神经阻滞的效果.方法 断指再植手术患者80例,随机分为两组（n=40）,实验组0.375%左旋布比卡因30ml,对照组0.596%甲磺酸罗派卡因30ml,行肌间沟臂丛神经阻滞.记录患者生命体征,感觉神经阻滞起效时间、持续时间,运动神经起效时间、持续时间,不良反映及麻醉满意度.结果 两组患者生命体征、感觉和运动神经阻滞起效时间差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）.感觉和运动神经阻滞持续时间试验组显著长于对照组P〈0.01.结论 左旋布比卡因用于手术需时较长,或要求术中肢体不动的显微外科手术麻醉,更有优势.     

罗哌卡因用于断指再植手术肌间沟臂丛神经阻滞的效应

目的 探讨罗哌卡因用于断指再植手术肌间沟臂丛神经阻滞的效应.方法 对2008年3月至9月,分别用0.50%的罗哌卡因和0.375%的布比卡因25 ml行肌间沟臂丛神经阻滞进行的断指再植手术72例进行分析.结果 罗哌卡因对感觉神经阻滞的起效时间明显缩短,维持时间明显延长,对运动神经阻滞的起效时间和维持时间均明显缩短,毒副作用与并发症明显减少.结论 罗哌卡因用于断指再植手术肌间沟臂丛神经阻滞麻醉比布比卡因起效迅速、镇痛持续时间长,麻醉效果满意.     

1%甲哌卡因与0.5%罗哌卡因用于肌间沟臂丛神经阻滞锁骨骨折术中的比较

目的观察1%甲哌卡因与0.5%罗哌卡因用于肌间沟臂丛神经阻滞锁骨骨折术中麻醉效果的比较。方法择期行肌间沟臂丛神经阻滞锁骨骨折成年患者30例,ASAⅠ~Ⅱ级,随机分为2组(n=15);1%甲哌卡因组(M组)和0.5%罗哌卡因组(R组)。两组均在神经刺激仪引导下,以肌间沟入路行臂丛神经阻滞,M组和R组分别注入1%甲哌卡因25 mL和0.5%罗哌卡因25 mL。观察两组血流动力学,感觉、运动阻滞起效及恢复时间,术后VAS评分,不良反应及麻醉满意度。结果与R组比较,M组感觉、运动阻滞起效时间缩短,阻滞恢复时间缩短(P0.05),术后6 h、12 h的VAS评分增加(P0.05)。结论 1%甲哌卡因与0.5%罗哌卡因行肌间沟臂丛神经阻滞,均能满足锁骨骨折手术。采用1%甲哌卡因较0.5%罗哌卡因起效更快,且感觉、运动恢复更早,利于早期活动,但术后镇痛效果不如0.5%罗哌卡因。     

等剂量罗哌卡因、左布比卡因腰麻应用于剖宫产术中的比较

目的比较0.75%罗哌卡因和0.75%左布比卡因对剖宫产手术腰麻的临床效果。方法 160例ASA1～2级择期剖宫产手术患者随机分为0.75%罗哌卡因（R）组和0.75%左布比卡因（L）组。采用25G腰麻穿刺针,于L3～4间隙穿刺。监测两组感觉运动阻滞情况、麻醉效果及不良反应情况。结果 R组最大阻滞时间、最大运动阻滞时间均高于L组;而运动恢复时间,R组低于L组,两组比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。结论等剂量罗哌卡因和左旋布比卡因腰麻麻醉效果和不良反应差异无统计学意义,左旋布比卡因运动神经阻滞比罗哌卡因更完全,罗哌卡因则具有运动神经阻滞起效慢而恢复较快的特点。     

左旋布比卡因与布比卡因在臂丛神经阻滞中的药效学比较

目的比较左旋布比卡因与布比卡因在臂丛神经阻滞中的药效学特性.方法60例上肢手术患者,ASA Ⅰ～Ⅱ级,随机分成三组,Ⅰ组为0.375%布比卡因,Ⅱ组为0.375%左旋布比卡因,Ⅲ组为0.375%左旋布比卡因加1：200 000肾上腺素.肌间沟法行臂丛神经阻滞.观察阻滞起效时间及持续时间、神经阻滞节段数、术中镇痛质量、不良反应以及注药前、注药后5、10、30、60 min时心率（HR）和平均动脉压（MAP）.结果Ⅱ、Ⅲ组麻醉起效时间短于Ⅰ组（P＜0.05）;麻醉持续时间Ⅱ、Ⅲ组长于Ⅰ组但差异无显著性,Ⅱ、Ⅲ组间比较差异无显著性;各组阻滞节段数、术中牵拉痛发生率、HR及MAP差异无显著性;Ⅰ组寒战发生率高于Ⅱ、Ⅲ组（P＜0.05）.结论左旋布比卡因有与布比卡因相似的药效学特性,可安全用于临床臂丛神经阻滞;肾上腺素不延长左旋布比卡因的麻醉持续时间.     

甲磺酸罗哌卡因和盐酸罗哌卡因肌间沟臂丛神经阻滞的比较

目的 观察0.596%甲磺酸罗哌卡因和0.5%盐酸罗哌卡因在超声引导下行肌间沟臂丛神经阻滞的效果.方法 60例上肢手术行肌间沟臂丛麻醉的患者,随机均分成两组:A组给予0.596%甲磺酸罗哌卡因30 ml;B组给予0.5%盐酸罗哌卡因30 ml.比较两组感觉及运动阻滞起效时间、阻滞程度、运动恢复时间、镇痛持续时间和不良反应.结果 A组尺神经感觉阻滞起效时间显著快于B组[(38.30±14.65)min vs.(48.03±22.34)min](P<0.05).注药60 min A组尺神经感觉完全阻滞29例(96.7%),显著多于B组的20例(66.7%)(P<0.05).结论 0.596%甲磺酸罗哌卡因的尺神经感觉阻滞优于0.5%盐酸罗哌卡因.     

喷他佐辛复合罗哌卡因臂丛神经阻滞的效果观察

目的 观察喷他佐辛复合罗哌卡因用于臂丛神经阻滞的效果.方法 40例ASA Ⅰ或Ⅱ级,接受肌间沟臂丛神经阻滞行上肢手术的患者随机均分为:A组,0.33%罗哌卡因30 ml;B组,0.33%罗哌卡因30 ml+喷他佐辛30 mg.手术开始15、30、60 rain及术后1、6、12、24 h行VAS疼痛评分,并记录麻醉起效时间、持续时间及不良反应发生率.结果 B组感觉与运动神经阻滞起效时间明显快于A组(P<0.05),镇痛持续时间明显长于A组(P<0.05),术中、术后VAS疼痛评分低于A组(P<0.05).结论 喷他佐辛复合罗哌卡因臂丛神经阻滞可缩短阻滞起效时间,延长持续时间,改善镇痛效果.     

罗哌卡因蛛网膜下腔阻滞在剖宫产术中的应用

目的观察不同浓度罗哌卡因用于蛛网膜下腔阻滞剖宫产术的麻醉效能、母婴安全和相关不良反应。方法采用随机双盲法，将60例剖宫产手术的足月单胎产妇均分为三组：0．5％罗哌卡因组（L1组），0．75％罗哌卡因组（L2组）和0．5％布比卡因组（C组）。记录蛛网膜下腔阻滞后产妇的感觉阻滞和运动阻滞的起效和持续时间、麻醉质量评价、恶心呕吐等不良反应及术中HR、BP、SpO2和新生儿1min和5min Apgar评分。结果L1和L2组比C组起效慢，阻滞平面低，平面固定时间长。L2组感觉阻滞时间比L1组和C组长。L2组和C组肌松评分优于L1组。运动神经阻滞改良Bromage评分，L1组〈k组〈C组（P〈0．05）。三组术中低血压及其他不良反应发生率差异无统计学意义。结论0．75％罗哌卡因用于蛛网膜下腔阻滞剖宫产时，其麻醉效能弱于0．5％布比卡因，而强于0．5％罗哌卡因，三者均具有较好的安全性。     

甲磺酸罗哌卡因用于肌间沟臂丛神经阻滞的临床观察

目的观察比较不同浓度的甲磺酸罗哌卡因用于肌间沟臂丛神经阻滞施行上肢手术的麻醉效果和安全性。方法40例ASAⅠ~Ⅱ级,18~55岁拟行上肢手术病人,随机分为四组,分别用0.45%、0.3%、0.25%甲磺酸罗哌卡因和0.25%布比卡因各30 ml行肌间沟臂丛神经阻滞。注药后1、2、3、4、5、6、7、8、9、10、20、30、60 min分别对病人的感觉和运动进行评价并观察病人是否有不适症状。结果0.45%、0.3%甲磺酸罗哌卡因和0.25%布比卡因麻醉效果强于0.25%甲磺酸罗哌卡因。0.45%甲磺酸罗哌卡因术中出现2例呼吸困难。结论0.3%甲磺酸罗哌卡因与其他各组比较,在肌间沟臂丛神经阻滞具有起效快、作用完善、不良反应少的特点,为临床适用的适宜剂量。     

0.75%和0.5%罗哌卡因与0.5%布比卡因应用于臂丛神经阻滞的临床比较

目的 观察罗哌卡因应用于臂丛神经阻滞的临床效果。方法 选择ASA Ⅰ～Ⅱ级上肢手术病人30例,随机分为三组,每组10例。分别以0.75％罗哌卡因、0.5％罗哌卡因和0.5％布比卡因采用肌间沟法进行臂丛神经阻滞,注入量20ml。分别记录病人感觉阻滞和运用阻滞的起效时间,峰值时间(达到完全阻滞可以开始手术的时间),追加阻滞药物的比率,术中病人对阿片类药物的需要,病人的满意程度等指标。对比各组间的各项指标。结果 两组罗哌卡因与0.5％布比卡因比较在注射10、15、20 min后达到完全的感觉和运动阻滞的比率较高(P<0.01)。罗哌卡因组的平均峰值时间明显短于布比卡因组(R50=16.3±3.16min,R75=14.6±3.33min,B=22.4±4.17 min,P<0.05)。根据病人术中对阿片类药的需要和全部病人的满意程度,认为罗哌卡因有较高的麻醉质量(P<0.05)。其他各项指标无显著差异。结论 罗哌卡因在臂丛神经阻滞中出现了较布比卡因平均峰值时间短、阻滞完善的优越性。在肌间沟臂丛神经阻滞中应该使用0.5％的罗哌卡因。     

罗哌卡因混合碳酸利多卡因与等效浓度罗哌卡因用于逆行锁骨下臂丛神经阻滞效果的比较

目的 比较罗哌卡因混合碳酸利多卡因与等效浓度罗哌卡因用于逆行锁骨下臂丛神经阻滞的效果.方法 择期行上肢手术患者60例,ASA分级Ⅰ或Ⅱ级,年龄18～64岁,体重49～ 98 kg,均在超声引导下行逆行锁骨下臂丛神经阻滞.采用随机数字表法,将患者随机分为2组(n＝30),A组应用0.35％罗哌卡因30ml,B组应用0.233％罗哌卡因和0.346％碳酸利多卡因混合液30 ml.于麻醉给药后每隔5 min记录臂丛神经各分支的阻滞效果(感觉阻滞效果评估采用针刺法,运动阻滞效果评估采用Bromage分级),记录感觉和运动阻滞起效时间、麻醉给药后30 min时感觉与运动阻滞有效情况和并发症的发生情况.结果 两组臂丛神经各分支的感觉和运动阻滞起效时间及阻滞有效率比较差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).两组均未见严重并发症发生.结论 罗哌卡因混合碳酸利多卡因与等效浓度罗哌卡因行逆行锁骨下臂丛神经阻滞效果相似,提示碳酸利多卡因不能增强罗哌卡因的臂丛神经阻滞效应.     

右美托咪定对罗哌卡因腋路臂丛神经阻滞时效的影响

目的探讨右美托咪定与局麻药罗哌卡因混合用于腋路臂丛阻滞对阻滞效果及有效时间的影响。方法择期或急诊在腋路臂丛神经阻滞下行上肢手术患者60例,ASAⅠ或Ⅱ级,随机均分为:罗哌卡因+右美托咪定组(RD组)和罗哌卡因组(R组)。以神经刺激器定位腋路臂丛神经主分支(桡神经、正中神经、尺神经和肌皮神经),RD组和R组分别注射0.375%罗哌卡因40ml+右美托咪定1ml(1μg/kg)和0.375%罗哌卡因40ml+生理盐水1ml,记录感觉和运动神经阻滞起效时间、作用时间、镇痛时间、首次疼痛VAS评分;记录入室时(T0)、阻滞后5min(T1)、10min(T2)、15min(T3)、30min(T4)、60min(T5)HR、MAP、SpO2,记录不良反应的发生情况。结果与R组比较,RD组感觉和运动阻滞起效时间缩短,作用时间及术后镇痛时间延长(P<0.05)。与R组比较,T1～T5时RD组HR减慢(P<0.05),MAP差异无统计学意义;与T0时比较,T2～T5时两组MAP下降,T1～T5时HR减慢(P<0.05),但仍在正常范围;两组患者阻滞后SpO2差异无统计学意义。RD组有5例患者心动过缓;两组患者未出现恶心、呕吐、低血压、低氧血症及局麻药中毒等不良反应。结论右美托咪定1μg/kg与局麻药混合应用于腋路臂丛神经阻滞可增强罗哌卡因的镇痛效果,缩短起效时间,延长作用时间及术后镇痛时间,但是易诱发心动过缓。     

不同浓度罗哌卡因用于臂丛神经感觉与运动分离阻滞的效果

目的 探讨不同浓度罗哌卡因用于臂丛神经感觉与运动分离阻滞的效果.方法 择期上肢手术患者90例,ASA分级Ⅰ～Ⅲ级,年龄16～75岁,体重40～85 kg.均在超声引导联合神经刺激器辅助定位下行腋路臂丛神经阻滞,根据不同罗哌卡因浓度分为3组(n=30):0.15%罗哌卡因组(A组),0.10%罗哌卡因组(B组),0.05%罗哌卡因组(C组).于注射局麻药后10、30、60、240 min(T1～4)时记录感觉与运动分离阻滞情况、感觉阻滞完善情况和臂丛神经阻滞成功情况,术毕时评定麻醉效果.记录手术时间、镇痛时间.结果 与A组比较,B组T1.2时感觉阻滞完善率较低(P＜0.05),T3.4时感觉阻滞完善率差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05),感觉与运动分离阻滞率较高(P＜0.01),C组T1.2时感觉与运动分离阻滞率较低(P＜0.01),T3.4时感觉与运动分离阻滞率差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05),各时点感觉阻滞完善率较低(P＜0.01).与B组比较,C组各时点感觉阻滞完善率、感觉与运动分离阻滞率均较低(P＜0.01).A组麻醉效果优于B组,B组麻醉效果优于C组(P＜0.01),与A组和B组比较,C组臂丛神经阻滞成功率较低(P＜0.01),A组与B组差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 0.10%罗哌卡因用于臂丛神经阻滞可产生感觉与运动分离阻滞效果.     

右旋美托咪啶加入到左旋布比卡因中可延长臂丛神经阻滞的持续时间

背景和目的我们针对右旋美托咪啶添加到左旋布比卡因中对腋路臂丛神经阻滞效果的影响加以评估。主要观察指标为起效时间、感觉和运动神经阻滞时间及镇痛时间。方法选择60例择期行前臂和手部手术的患者,采用随机双盲试验方法将患者分成两组。通过神经刺激的方法定位腋下4条主要神经（肌皮神经、桡神经、正中神经、尺神经）。将患者随机分配到两组中的任一组。给予L组（n=30）0．5％左旋布比卡因40ml（200mg）＋生理盐水1ml;给予LD组（n=30）0．5％左旋布比卡因40ml（200mg）＋右旋美托咪啶1ml。记录运动和感觉阻滞起效时间、阻滞持续时间和镇痛持续时间。结果两组中的患者基本资料和手术特点都相似。感觉和运动阻滞起效时间LD组比L组明显缩短（P〈0．05）。感觉和运动阻滞持续时间LD组比L组明显延长（P〈0．01）。镇痛持续时间LD组比L组长（P〈0．05）。分别于10、15、30、45、60、90、120分钟记录收缩压,LD组明显低于L组（P〈O．05）。60、90、120分钟记录舒张压,LD组明显低于L组（P〈0．05）。除基础值外,LD组心率明显低于L组（P〈0．05）。在LD组有7例心动过缓患者,L组无心动过缓者（P〈0．05）。结论右旋美托咪啶加入左旋布比卡因用于腋路臂丛神经阻滞,可缩短起效时间,延长持续时间和镇痛时间。但右旋美托咪啶可能导致心动过缓。     

改良型腋窝顶定位穿刺锁骨下位点阻滞麻醉的临床研究

目的 研究腋窝顶定位穿刺锁骨下位点阻滞麻醉的可行性.方法 520例急诊成人上肢手术的患者随机均分为两组:腋窝顶定位穿刺锁骨下位点阻滞麻醉组(观察组)和腋窝内径路阻滞麻醉组(对照组),两组均采用0.375%罗哌卡因,容量(40.0±2.7)ml作为臂丛神经阻滞麻醉药物.比较组间穿刺注药完成后的30 min内,感觉运动阻滞起效时间、感觉运动阻滞效果、各神经分支感觉阻滞效果及神经阻滞综合效果;比较组间穿刺注药完成30 min后,2、4、6、8 h四个时点的视觉模拟评分法(VAS)评分及止血带止痛时间.结果 穿刺注药完成后的30 min内,观察组感觉运动阻滞起效时间显著短于对照组,维持时间显著长于对照组(P＜0.01);组间感觉运动阻滞评分及正中、尺神经阻滞效果差异无统计学意义,肌皮、桡神经阻滞效果显著好于对照组(P＜0.05).穿刺注药完成30 min后,VAS评分各时点组间比较观察组显著小于对照组(P＜0.01),止血带止痛时间组间比较观察组显著长于对照组(P＜0.01).结论 改良型腋窝顶定位穿刺锁骨下位点阻滞麻醉,可提供上肢完善的阻滞技术,取得满意的麻醉效果,并具有较高的安全性.

Abstract：

Objective To study the feasibility of subclavicular brachial plexus block with localized puncture at the apex of the axilla.Methods 520 adult patients who underwent upper limb emergency surgery were randomly assigned to receive subclavicular brachial plexus block with localized puncture at the apex of the axilla ( experimental group) and block anesthesia with intraclavicular route ( control group).Patients in both groups received 0.375% ropivacaine, volume (40.0± 2.7)ml.During the 30 minutes after the blockade, the onset and effect of motor and sensory block, the sensory block effect of each nerve branches and integrated effect of nerve block were recorded.The VAS score and acesodyne duration with tourniquet were compared between the two groups at 2, 4, 6 and 8 hours after the drug had been used for 30 minutes.Results Within 30 minutes after the drug was delivered, the onset of motor and sensory block in the experimental group was evidently shorter than that in the control group, while the duration of motor and sensory block was evidently longer ( P ＜ 0.01).There were no statistically significant differences in motor and sensory block score, median nerve block effect and ulnar nerve block effect between the two groups.The musculocutaneous nerve and radial nerve block effects in the experimental group were better than those in the control group ( P ＜ 0.05).After the drug had been used for 30 minutes, VAS score of the experimental group at each point time was significantly lower than that of the oontrol group ( P ＜0.01).The analgesia duration of tourniquet in the experimental group was significantly longer than that of the control group ( P ＜ 0.01 ).Conclusion The modified subclavicular brachial plexus block with localized puncture at the apex of the axilla can provide perfect blockade, satisfactory anesthetic effect and higher safety in upper limb surgery.     

Tramadol does not prolong the effect of ropivacaine 7.5 mg/ml for axillary brachial plexus block

BACKGROUND: The aim of this prospective, randomized, double-blind study was to evaluate the effect of the addition of tramadol to ropivacaine on the onset and duration of sensory and motor block, and duration of analgesia, for axillary brachial plexus block. METHODS: After institutional approval and informed consent had been obtained, 45 patients scheduled for forearm or hand surgery under axillary brachial plexus block were randomly allocated into two groups. The ropivacaine group received 40 ml of ropivacaine 7.5 mg/ml plus 2 ml of isotonic sodium chloride solution, and the tramadol group received 40 ml of ropivacaine 7.5 mg/ml plus 2 ml (100 mg) of tramadol. The onset and duration of sensory and motor block in the distribution of the musculocutaneous, radial, median and ulnar nerves, the duration of analgesia, the time to first pain medication, hemodynamics and side-effects were recorded. RESULTS: The addition of tramadol did not improve the speed of onset or increase the duration of sensory and motor block. The durations of analgesia were 631 +/- 33 min and 633 +/- 37 min (mean +/- standard deviation) in the ropivacaine and tramadol groups, respectively (P > 0.05). Hemodynamic parameters and side-effects did not differ between the groups. CONCLUSION: The addition of 100 mg of tramadol to 7.5 mg/ml of ropivacaine, for axillary brachial plexus block, does not prolong the duration of motor and sensory block and analgesia.     

右美托咪定对比地塞米松在罗哌卡因腰丛阻滞中的应用

目的 比较右美托咪定和地塞米松混合于罗哌卡因用于腰丛阻滞的临床效果。方法 选择单侧膝部或股骨手术的成年患者90例,ASAⅠ或Ⅱ级,随机分为三组：对照组、地米组和右美组,每组30例。三组患者均在超声联合神经刺激仪引导下行后路腰丛阻滞,对照组注入浓度为0.375%（3.75 mg/mL）的盐酸罗哌卡因0.5 mL/kg,地米组注入相同浓度、等效容量的局麻药和地塞米松0.1 mg/kg,右美组注入相同浓度、等效容量的局麻药和右美托咪定1 μg/kg。比较感觉、运动阻滞的起效时间和持续时间,记录术后24 h内VAS疼痛评分和镇痛药用量,观察并发症的发生情况。结果 感觉和运动阻滞的起效时间：右美组<地米组<对照组（P<0.05）;感觉和运动阻滞的持续时间：右美组>地米组>对照组（P<0.05）。地米组和右美组术后24 h的VAS疼痛评分低于对照组（P<0.05）;地米组和右美组术后24 h内的镇痛药用量少于对照组（P<0.05）,右美组少于地米组（P<0.05）。三组患者并发症的发生率无统计学差异。结论 右美托咪定或地塞米松与罗哌卡因混合应用均能加快腰丛阻滞的起效时间、延长持续时间和降低患者术后疼痛程度,但右美托咪定的作用更为显著。     

No enhancement of sensory and motor blockade by ketamine added to ropivacaine interscalene brachial plexus blockade

BACKGROUND: Ketamine can enhance anesthetic and analgesic actions of a local anesthetic via a peripheral mechanism. The authors' goal was to determine whether or not ketamine added to ropivacaine in interscalene brachial plexus blockade prolongs postoperative analgesia. In addition, we wanted to determine the incidence of adverse-effects in patients undergoing hand surgery. METHODS: Sixty adults scheduled for forearm or hand surgery under the interscalene brachial plexus block were prospectively randomized to receive one of the solutions of the study. Group P received 0.5% ropivacaine 30 ml, group K received 0.5% ropivacaine 30 ml with 30 mg ketamine, and group C received 0.5% ropivacaine with 30 mg ketamine i.v. Loss of shoulder abduction, elbow flexion, wrist flexion and loss of pinprick in the C4-7 sensory dermatomes were assessed at 1-min intervals. Adverse-effects were assessed every 5 min. The duration of the sensory and motor blocks was assessed after operation. Adverse-effects were also recorded. RESULTS: The onset time of sensory or motor blockade and the duration of sensory or motor blockade were similar in all groups. Adverse-effects occurred in 44% of patients in group K and 94% of group C. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that 30 mg ketamine added to ropivacaine in the brachial plexus block does not improve the onset or duration of sensory block, but it does cause a relatively high incidence of adverse-effects. These two findings do not encourage the use of ketamine with local anesthetics for brachial plexus blockade.     

A comparative study of 0.25% ropivacaine and 0.25% bupivacaine for brachial plexus block.

The present study compares the effectiveness of 0.25% ropivacaine and 0.25% bupivacaine in 44 patients receiving a subclavian perivascular brachial plexus block for upper extremity surgery. The patients were assigned to two equal groups in this randomized, double-blind study; one group received ropivacaine 0.25% (112.5 mg) and the other, bupivacaine 0.25% (112.5 mg), both without epinephrine. Onset times for analgesia and anesthesia in each of the C-5 through T-1 brachial plexus dermatomes did not differ significantly between the two groups. The mean onset time for analgesia ranged from 11.2 to 20.2 min, and the mean onset time for anesthesia ranged from 23.3 to 48.2 min. The onset of motor block differed only with respect to paresis in the hand, with bupivacaine demonstrating a shorter onset time than ropivacaine. The duration of sensory and motor block also was not significantly different between the two groups. The mean duration of analgesia ranged from 9.2 to 13.0 h, and the mean duration of anesthesia ranged from 5.0 to 10.2 h. Both groups required supplementation with peripheral nerve blocks or general anesthesia in a large number of cases, with 9 of the 22 patients in the bupivacaine group and 8 of the 22 patients in the ropivacaine group requiring supplementation to allow surgery to begin. In view of the frequent need for supplementation noted with both 0.25% ropivacaine and 0.25% bupivacaine, we do not recommend using the 0.25% concentrations of these local anesthetics to provide brachial plexus block.