Injection of local anesthetic lateral to vertebral transverse process instead of conventional method for interscalene block in difficult cases with poor view

Abstract

Ultrasound guided (USG) peripheral nerve block techniques have become increasingly popular in regional anesthesia in the recent few years. USG interscalene brachial plexus block provides effective analgesia after a variety of of surgeries and have been shown to reduce opioid consumption, decrease postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), improve patient satisfaction, and decrease recovery room length of stay.1 Regardless of all of these advantages, there have been some complications associated with this technique. The most important complication is the phrenic nerve block. Therefore, impaired respiratory function is considered a relative contraindication to interscalene plexus block. It has been shown to cause ipsilateral hemidiaphragmatic paresis almost always due to phrenic nerve block.2, 3 Key words: Nerve Block/methods; Anesthetics, Local; Peripheral Nerves / diagnostic imaging; Ultrasonography, Interventional / methods  Citation: Heidarifar R, Amini SM, Lotfi S, Ahmadi A. Injection of local anesthetic lateral to vertebral transverse process instead of conventional method for interscalene block in difficult cases with poor view. Anaesth. pain intensive care 2021;26(1):126-127. DOI: 10.35975/apic.v26i1.1783