Background and objectives: Brachial plexus block is one of the most effective anesthesia and analgesia methods for upper extremity surgeries across different age groups. However, the number of studies on this block in children is insufficient. The aim of this study was to retrospectively analyze and discuss the efficacy and safety of ultrasound (US)- and Ultrasound with nerve stimulator (US + NS)-guided infraclavicular brachial plexus block (ICB) in pediatric patients. Materials and Method: In this study, we retrospectively analyzed the data of 240 pediatric patients admitted to our clinic between October 2020 and April 2023, 120 of whom underwent US-guided ICB and 120 who underwent US + NS-guided ICB. Results: Demographic data of both groups who underwent US and US + NS-guided ICB were similar. The mean procedure time was 6.1 ± 0.8 min for the US group and 8.31 ± 0.82 min for the US + NS group (p < 0.001). The mean operative time was 62.4 ± 11.3 min in the US group and 62.4 ± 9.5 min in the US + NS group (p = 0.73). Intraoperative and postoperative opioid and additional analgesia use and pain scores at 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, and 24 h were recorded in both groups. The mean duration of the motor block (MBD) was 6.20 ± 0.95 h in the US group and 6.29 ± 0.88 h in the US + NS group (p = 0.46). The mean duration of sensory block (SBD) was 9.38 ± 2.13 h in the US group and 9.53 ± 2.05 h in the US + NS group (p = 0.38). Conclusions: In pediatric patients, US and US + NS-guided ICB applications are effective and safe in ease of application, prolonged analgesia, and low complication rates. In skilled hands, US-guided ICB can be as effective as US + NS-guided ICB. Further prospective studies with more significant patient populations are needed to validate these findings.
Background/Objectives: Laparoscopic appendectomy (LsA) is a standard acute surgical procedure typically performed under general anesthesia (GA). However, GA is associated with side effects such as hemodynamic instability and postoperative nausea/vomiting. Regional anesthesia (RA) has gained attention as an effective alternative in such surgeries, as it reduces surgical stress responses, provides adequate postoperative analgesia, and promotes early mobilization. This study evaluates the effectiveness of the combined use of spinal anesthesia (SA) and transversus abdominis plane block (TAPB) in LsA procedures. Methods: This retrospective observational study included 220 patients who underwent LsA between 2020 and 2023. Patients were divided into two groups: Group 1 (n = 110) received bilateral TAPB, and Group 2 (n = 110) received unilateral TAPB, both under SA. Postoperative pain was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and outcomes such as time to first analgesic requirement, analgesic consumption, and patient satisfaction were recorded. Results: This study evaluated the effects of SA combined with TAPB in LsA. Bilateral TAPB significantly prolonged the time to first analgesic request (13.7 vs. 12.1 h; p = 0.001) and reduced analgesic requirements (p = 0.008) compared to unilateral TAPB. VAS scores were significantly lower in Group 1 at the 9th and 12th hours postoperatively (p = 0.003 and p = 0.039). Although overall satisfaction scores were similar, a higher proportion of patients in Group 1 reported being “very satisfied” or “excellent” (55.5% vs. 42.7%). Conclusions: The combination of spinal anesthesia and bilateral TAPB is a safe and effective anesthetic strategy for LsA. Compared to unilateral TAPB, it offers superior postoperative analgesia and improved patient satisfaction.