Cutaneous sympathetic vasoconstrictor reflexes for the evaluation of interscalene brachial plexus block

Background: Although signs of sympathetic blockade following interscalene brachial plexus block include Horner’s syndrome, increased skin temperature and vasodilatation, the degree of sympathetic blockade is not easily determined. The aim of this study was, therefore, to use activation of cutaneous finger pad vasoconstrictor reflexes for description and quantification of the degree of sympathetic blockade following unilateral interscalene brachial plexus block.

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