Determination of the minimum effective volume of bupivacaine for ultrasound-guided infraclavicular brachial plexus block: a prospective, observer-blind, controlled study

Abstract Background: We aimed to determine the minimum effective volume (MEV) of 0.5% bupivacaine for infraclavicular brachial plexus block. Methods: We assigned patients to volume groups consisting of five consecutive patients. Local anesthetic was sequentially reduced from a starting dose of 30 mL by 2 mL to form the volume groups. Five patients were included in each volume group, and at least 3 of 5 injections had to be successful to consider the volume of the anesthetic as sufficient. The study ended when the anesthetic volume of a group was determined to be unsuccessful (two or fewer su...

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