RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Selective Musculocutaneous Nerve Block and Infraclavicular Brachial Plexus Anesthesia: Case Report
JF Regional Anesthesia: The Journal of Neural Blockade in Obstetrics, Surgery, & Pain Control
JO Reg Anesth Pain Med
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP 239
OP 241
DO 10.1136/rapm-00115550-199520030-00011
VO 20
IS 3
A1 Dermott R. Fitzgibbon
A1 Anthony D. Debs
A1 Miklavz K. Erjavec
YR 1995
UL http://rapm.bmj.com/content/20/3/239.abstract
AB Background and Objectives. Regional anesthesia of the upper extremity may be achieved by the infraclavicular approach to the brachial plexus.Methods. Advantages of this approach include profound anesthesia of the upper extremity with minimal risk of complications.Results. Isolated block of the musculocutaneous nerve may result by this approach if biceps muscle contractions are accepted as evidence of brachial plexus location by peripheral nerve stimulation.Conclusions. Stimulation of the musculocutaneous nerve in the infraclavicular region results in biceps muscle contraction. Inadequate anesthesia of the upper extremity may result due to exiting of the musculocutaneous nerve outside the axillary sheath in this region. Evidence of more distal stimulation (finger/wrist flexion) improves the likelihood of successful block of the brachial plexus by the infraclavicular route.