Comparison of Clinical Efficacy and Postoperative Outcomes of Ultrasound-Guided Lateral Sagittal Infraclavicular and Costoclavicular Brachial Plexus Blocks: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Background/Objectives: The costoclavicular (CCB) and lateral sagittal infraclavicular (ICB) approaches provide ultrasound-guided access to the cords of the brachial plexus. Comparative real-world evidence on imaging efficiency, block dynamics, and postoperative analgesia remains limited. We compared procedural and analgesic outcomes between these approaches.

Methods

This retrospective two-center cohort included patients undergoing elective upper-extremity surgery under ultrasound-guided CCB or ICB between April and October 2025. Specialists at both centers had comparable experience with both techniques (approximately 4 years). The primary outcome was total procedure time; secondary outcomes included component times, exact block-onset times recorded during close continuous specialist observation, postoperative pain, rescue analgesia, satisfaction, and discharge time. All patients received the same local-anesthetic dose and volume.