Objectives:To study the clinical results and feasibility of continuous brachial plexus nerve block and postoperative anagesia with catheters located by nerve stimulator in interscalene approach. Methods:60 ASAⅠ~Ⅱ patients receiving continuous interscalene brachial plexus block and postoperative analgesia for forearm

wrist or hand surgery were randomized into two groups.In group I

nerve blocks were performed using a normal venous needle located with traditional method which elicites numbness of the limb. Then a epidural catheter was passed and secured. Group Ⅱ were guided by nerve stimulator and special catheters were placed. Results:Compared with group I

time to perform the block

time to block and time to obtain satisfactory sensory and motor blockade in group II were shorter(P<0.05).All cases were successful in group Ⅱ. There were 3 failure cases in group Ⅰ

with the failure rate of 10%. Postoperative analgesic results were good in two groups

but better in group II(P<0.05). 3 analgesic leakage and 2 catheter dislocation arised in groupⅠ.Group Ⅱ had less intraoperative sedative usage and postoperative analgesics and local aneasthetics usage(P<0.05). 4 cases of hematoma and 4 cases of nerve injury occured in group I while no complication occured in group Ⅱ.Conclusions:Nerve stimulator-guided catheters for continuous brachial plexus nerve block and postoperative anagesia have a higher success rate

more accurate results

and less adverse reactions.