Open AccessA review of the anatomy and a step-by-step visual guide to performing an ultrasound-guided supraclavicular brachial plexus block
Author(s) -
Sabashnee Govender,
Dwayne Möhr,
ZN Tshabalala,
Albert-Neels Van Schoor
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
southern african journal of anaesthesia and analgesia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.175
H-Index - 10
eISSN - 2220-1173
pISSN - 2220-1181
DOI - 10.36303/sajaa.2019.25.2.2268
Subject(s) - medicine , brachial plexus , supraclavicular fossa , brachial plexus block , ultrasound , anatomy , radiology , cancer , breast cancer
Background: The aim of this description is to provide step-by-step guidelines for performing an ultrasound-guided supraclavicular brachial plexus nerve block.Methods: The brachial plexus in the supraclavicular fossa of sixty healthy volunteers was scanned in the horizontal/transverse plane. The relevant regional anatomy was studied to identify the muscular and vascular structures seen on the ultrasound screen.Results: The entire process was documented and a standard, step-by-step guide to performing ultrasound-guided supraclavicular brachial plexus blocks was developed.Conclusion: This description serves as a comprehensive guide to a technique for performing ultrasound-guided supraclavicular brachial plexus blocks safely and successfully. It also aims to provide the reader with the background knowledge of the technique and the surrounding regional anatomy.