Table 1 Description of studies included in the systematic review

RCT

Galos, 2016 [36]

Monocenter

36

Distal radius fracture fixation

Group PNB

Type:

Infraclavicular nerve block

Agents:

Lidocaine 2% with 1:200,000 epinephrine (20 mL) and

bupivacaine 0.25% (15 mL)

If failed:

N/A

3 months

Functional recovery: DASH, SMFA

No difference between PNB and GA group

ROM:

N/A

Time frame from surgery to return to work:

N/A

Satisfaction regarding the anesthesia technique used:

N/A

Complications:

N/A

Group GA

Regimen at the discretion of the anesthesiologist

Rundgren, 2019 [39]

Monocenter

90

Distal radius fracture fixation

Group PNB

Type:

Supraclavicular nerve block

Agents:

Mepicavaine 1% (2/3 solution) and levobupivacaine 0.25% (1/3 solution)

If failed:

No intention to treat analysis was done

6 months

Functional recovery: EQ/ED/3L, PWRE

No difference between PNB and GA group

(EQ-ED-3L p = 0.7; PRWE p = 0.7)

ROM:

NS difference (p = 0.7)

Time frame from surgery to return to work:

N/A

Satisfaction regarding the anesthesia technique used:

N/A

Complications:

N/A

Group GA

Induction:

Propofol*

Fentanyl*

Maintenance:

Sevoflurane*

Fentanyl*

End of surgery:

Infiltration 10 mL levobupicavaine 0.5%

*Dose at the discretion of the anesthesiologist

Wong, 2020 [38]

Monocenter

52

Distal radius fracture fixation

Group PNB

Type:

Infraclavicular nerve block

Agents:

Lidocaine 2% 10 mL with 1:200,000 epinephrine and 10 mL of ropivacaine 0.75%

If failed:

No intention to treat analysis was done

6 months

Functional recovery: QuickDASH, PRWE

No difference between PNB and GA group

ROM:

N/A

Time frame from surgery to return to work:

N/A

Satisfaction regarding the anesthesia technique used:

N/A

Complications:

N/A

Group GA

Induction:

Fentanyl (0.25-2mcg/kg)

Propofol (1.5-3 mg/kg)

Atracurium (0.5 mg/kg)

Maintenance:

Sevoflurane (MAC 0.7–1.5)

Morphine (0.025–0.05 mg/kg)

End of surgery:

Infiltration levobupicavaine 0.5% 2 mg/kg

Observational studies

Egol, 2012 [34]

Retrospective

187

Distal radius fracture fixation

Group PNB

Type:

Infraclavicular nerve block

Agents:

N/A

If failed:

N/A

12 months

Functional recovery: DASH

No difference between PNB and GA group (p = 0.72)

ROM:

PNB is superior to GA group for:

-wrist extension

-wrist flexion

-index finger total active movement

-ring finger distal palmar crease

Time frame from surgery to return to work:

N/A

Satisfaction regarding the anesthesia technique used:

N/A

Complications:

N/A

Group GA

Regimen at the discretion of the anesthesiologist

Egol 2014 [35]

Retrospective

122

Proximal humerus fracture repair

Group PNB

Type:

Interscalene Brachial plexus block

Agents:

N/A

If failed:

N/A

12 months

Functional recovery: DASH

PNB is superior to GA group (p = 0.003)

ROM:

PNB is superior to GA group for:

-active forward elevation (p = 0.002)

-passive forward elevation (p = 0.005)

-external rotation (p = 0.002)

Time frame from surgery to return to work:

N/A

Satisfaction regarding the anesthesia technique used:

N/A

Complications:

N/A

Group GA

Regimen at the discretion of the anesthesiologist

Doo, 2020 [37]

Prospective

119

Fracture correction

Hand ware removal

Arthroscopic surgery

Tendon/ligament repair

Carpal tunnel release

Mass excision

Other

Group PNB

Type:

Supraclavicular

Agents:

Lidocaine 1.5% with 1:200,000 epinephrine

If failed:

N/A

7 days

Functional recovery: Global QoR-40 K

No difference between PNB and GA group (p = 0.21)

ROM:

N/A

Time frame from surgery to return to work:

N/A

Satisfaction regarding the anesthesia technique used:

N/A

Complications:

N/A

Group GA

Induction:

Propofol (1.5–2.5 mg/kg)

Rocuronium (0.3–0.8 mg/kg)

Maintenance:

Sevoflurane (1–4%)

Perfusion remifentanil (1.3 mcg/kg)

End of surgery:

N/A