Quiroga-Herrera OJ, Hernández-Santos JR, Tenopala-Villegas S, Torres-Huerta JC

Language: Spanish
References: 6
Page: 110-112
PDF size: 56.38 Kb.

ABSTRACT

Brachial plexus blockade is widely used in the treatment of chronic pain syndromes involving the upper extremity. The coracoid technique described by Wilson has recently attracted much interest, since it is both easy to perform and highly effective. The authors describe a case of pneumothorax occurring as a complication of this type of blockade in a 49-year-old female patient with a history of panarteritis nodosa in whom the needle was inserted closer than recommended to the pulmonary tissue, and directed medially instead of posteriorly. Causing pneumothorax with the coracoid technique is very unlikely if the direction of the needle and the insertion point described by Wilson are strictly complied with.

REFERENCES

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2. Raj PP, Montgomery SJ, Nettles D, Jenkins MT. Infraclavicular brachial plexus block: a new approach. Anesth Analg 1973;52:897.

3. Whiffler K. Coracoid Block: a safe and easy technique. Br J Anaesth 1981;53:845.

4. Guido S, Martin J. Infraclavicular vertical plexus blockade: a safe alternative to the axillary approach. Anesth Analg 1997;84:233.

5. Ilfeld BM, Morey T, Enneking F. Continuous Infraclavicular Perineural Infusion with Clonidine and Ropivacaine Compared with Ropivacaine Alone: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Controlled Study. Anesthesia & Analgesia. 2003;97(3):706-712.

6. Ilfeld B, Morey, Timothy E, Enneking K. Continuous Infraclavicular Brachial Plexus Block for Postoperative Pain Control at Home: a Randomized, Double-blinded, Placebo-controlled Study. Anesthesiology 2002;96(6):1297-1304.