Supraclavicular continuous peripheral nerve block in a wounded soldier: when ultrasound is the only option

The complex nature of combat-related injuries requires frequentoperative interventions and prolonged analgesic therapy. Theapplication of continuous peripheral nerve block (CPNB) hasbeen an important anaesthetic tool in the management of combatsoldiers wounded from the current conflicts. The severe, destructivenature of combat injuries makes placement of CPNB difficultor impossible using more common neurostimulation approaches.The use of ultrasound technology has improved our success inplacing CPNB in the presence of such injuries. We report theapplication of ultrasound technology in placing CPNB in a combat-injuredsoldier, whose injuries precluded other CPNB options.