PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Davies, Michael J.
AU  - Silbert, Brendan S.
AU  - Scott, David A.
AU  - Cook, Russell J.
AU  - Mooney, Patricia H.
AU  - Blyth, Carolyn
TI  - Superficial and Deep Cervical Plexus Block for Carotid Artery Surgery: A Prospective Study of 1000 Blocks
AID  - 10.1136/rapm-00115550-199722050-00008
DP  - 1997 Sep 01
TA  - Regional Anesthesia: The Journal of Neural Blockade in Obstetrics, Surgery, & Pain Control
PG  - 442--446
VI  - 22
IP  - 5
4099  - http://rapm.bmj.com/content/22/5/442.short
4100  - http://rapm.bmj.com/content/22/5/442.full
SO  - Reg Anesth Pain Med1997 Sep 01; 22
AB  - Background And Objectives Cervical plexus blocks are performed for carotid surgery to allow neurological assessment of the awake patient. The aim of this study was to establish the frequency of success, complications, and patient acceptance of the technique.Methods One thousand superficial and deep cervical blocks were performed in 924 patients having carotid artery surgery. Data about the blocks were recorded prospectively and patients were followed up postoperatively by an independent anesthesiologist to assess patient acceptance of the technique.Results Lidocaine was the most frequently used anesthetic (88%). Surgical supplementation of the blocks was required in 53% of operations. Six blocks (0.6%) had clinical evidence of intravascular injection of local anesthetic. Sedation was required in 66% of operations and conversion to general anesthesia occurred in 25 (2.5%) of operations. Ninety-one percent of patients reported no problems with the block, and 93% stated that they would have the same anesthetic for any future similar surgery.Conclusions We conclude that superficial and deep cervical plexus block has a high success rate, low complication rate, and high patient acceptance rate. Caution should, however, be exercised to ensure a low intravascular injection rate which is of most concern with this technique, because blood was aspirated in 30% of patients during performance of the block.