Please confirm that an ethics committee approval has been applied for or granted: Not relevant (see information at the bottom of this page)

Background and Aims Relapsing polychondritis is a rare, chronic autoimmune disorder, characterized by inflammation of cartilaginous structures. This abstract describes the use of a supraclavicular block in a patient with polychondritis undergoing upper limb surgery, highlighting its efficacy and benefits over general anesthesia.

Methods A 66-year-old female with a known history of relapsing polychondritis was presented for urgent surgery due to a multifragment humerus fracture. She had a history of nose and ear cartillage inflamation and prior surgery was examined by an otorhinolaryngologist who ruled out acute inflammation of the larynx and recommended avoiding general anesthesia. A decision was made to perform a supraclavicular block to provide surgical anesthesia. Under ultrasound guidance, a supraclavicular block was performed (20 ml mixture of 0.5% levobupivacaine with 2% lidocaine), achieving successful sensory and motor blockade of the upper extremity. The patient‘s vital signs were continuously monitored, sedation with small dose TCI propofol (1 mcg/ml) was administered to ensure comfort without compromising respiratory function.

Results The supraclavicular block provided effective anesthesia for the duration of the surgical procedure, which lasted 2 hours. The patient remained hemodynamically stable with no respiratory complications. Postoperatively, the patient reported excellent pain control and no adverse effects related to the block.

Conclusions Supraclavicular block is effective anesthetic option for patients with relapsing polychondritis undergoing upper limb surgery. It avoids the risks associated with airway manipulation and general anesthesia. This case supports the consideration of regional anesthesia techniques in managing patients with complex autoimmune disorders, emphasizing the importance of individualized anesthetic planning.