Multiple injection axillary brachial plexus block: influence of obesity on failure rate and incidence of acute complications.

Background: Obesity has been associated with an increased failure rate in regional anesthesia, but specific block techniques have not been evaluated. We hypothesized that obesity decreases the success rate of axillary brachial plexus block.

Methods: We prospectively studied axillary brachial plexus blocks performed by experienced anesthesiologists in patients scheduled for upper limb surgery.