Is there a place for interscalene block performed after induction of general anaesthesia?

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The timing of interscalene block in relation to general anaesthesia remains a controversial subject. We believe that the results of our study demonstrate that this block may be performed safely on anaesthetized patients, providing that certain conditions are met. METHODS: Five hundred and forty-eight cases of arthroscopic shoulder surgery were analysed retrospectively in order to identify the results of interscalene block performed after induction of general anaesthesia, but before the start of surgery. Patients were kept in hospital for 24 h and assessed before being discharged from the hospital and again in the period from 4 to 8 weeks after surgery. Duration of the block, quality of postoperative pain relief and neurological complications were recorded. RESULTS: Our study failed to reveal any permanent or long-term neurological complications attributable to interscalene block performed after induction of general anaesthesia. CONCLUSION: It is our opinion that the primary factor for safe interscalene block is modification of the anaesthetic technique rather than the timing of regional block in relation to induction of general anaesthesia.     

Ultrasound-guided interscalene brachial plexus block in a child with acute upper respiratory infection

The brachial plexus is commonly blocked at the interscalene level for shoulder and proximal humeral surgery. There are only a few publications about the interscalene technique in pediatric patients for a peripheral nerve block. Ultrasound-guided peripheral nerve block has become increasingly more popular for pediatric patients because of high success rates and safety concerns. We used ultrasound-guided interscalene brachial plexus block in an 18-month-old child with an acute upper respiratory infection who had a supracondylar fracture of the humerus.     

Spread of local anesthetic during an ultrasound‐guided interscalene block: does the injection site influence diffusion?

Background: During interscalene block (ISB) placement, ultrasound guidance (USG) enables the practitioner to measure the spread of local anesthetic around the nerve trunks or roots, and to adjust the needle position in order to optimize diffusion. Moreover, USG helps determine the best injection level, i.e. the point from which diffusion gives the most complete brachial plexus block. The aim of this study was to compare C5 and C6 level injections and to determine which level allows the best diffusion. Methods: Sixty randomized patients scheduled for shoulder surgery were divided into two groups. In group C5, injection was directed toward C5 while in group C6, the C6 nerve root was targeted. Block performance time was recorded. The onset of motor and sensory block of each nerve distribution was evaluated every 10 min over a 30‐min period. Results: The average time taken to perform a nerve block was 6.2+2.6 min in Group C6 and 6.0+2.1 min in Group C5 (NS). At 30 min, the number of patients with a satisfactory musculocutaneous and axillary nerve block was not notably greater in either group. By contrast, a significantly higher success rate was observed for other nerves in the C6 group as compared to the C5 group: ulnar nerve block: 93% vs. 19%, radial nerve block: 96% vs. 28%, median nerve block: 96%, vs. 69%. Conclusions: During USG ISB placement, injection below the C6 level provided the same efficiency in analgesia after shoulder surgery as an injection cranial to the C5 nerve root but a greater success rate of anesthesia in all distal nerve areas. This technique could be very interesting for trauma cases as an alternative to a supraclavicular block and offers a high success rate and is simple to perform, potentially promoting wide use and quicker learning for beginners.