Infraclavicular Nerve Block

Indications

This block provides anesthesia and analgesia for the upper extremity. It works best for analgesia below the elbow. It can provide good analgesia for tourniquet pain but is not suited for the shoulder area. It will not anesthetize the axilla or the proximal medial arm, missing the intercostal and medium cutaneous brachii nerves. It blocks the brachial plexus below the level of the clavicle close to the coracoid process. ^[4] This is a good place to place a continuous catheter because it is an area with little movement and therefore less chance of being displaced.

Contraindications

Absolute contraindications include the following:

• Patient not consenting
• Allergy to local anesthetics
• Infection at site of injection or if unable to insert needle or place probe at area needed due to a splint/cast/dressing

Relative contraindications include the following:

• Coagulopathy
• Systemic infection

Landmarks

The infraclavicular block can be considered the same block as the axillary block and has the advantage of not having to move the arm over the patient’s head.^[5] Two main approaches exist. The proximal one is under the clavicle at the midpoint. The distal one is at the level of the coracoid process. Under the clavicle, the plexus are set up as divisions, as described above. They are lateral to the axillary artery proximally and rotate to surround the artery as it approaches the coracoid process. The boundaries of the infraclavicular fossa are the pectoralis minor and major anteriorly, ribs medially, clavicle and coracoid process superiorly, and humerus laterally. With the arm in adduction, it is represented on the skin with the clavicle as the superior base, the skin of the thoracic cage medial, and the medial side of the upper as the lateral wall (see the image below). This block can be deep depending on patient’s subcutaneous tissue.

Innervation of the arms and hands.

Reff

1. Sandhu NS, Capan LM. Ultrasound-guided infraclavicular brachial plexus block. Br J Anaesth. 2002 Aug. 89(2):254-9. [Medline].

2. Nadig M, Ekatodramis G, Borgeat A. Ultrasound-guided infraclavicular brachial plexus block. Br J Anaesth. 2003 Jan. 90(1):107-8; author reply 108. [Medline].

3. http://www.nysora.com.

4. Macfarlane A, Anderson K. Infraclavicular Brachial Plexus Blocks. CEACCP(Continuing Education in Anaesthesia, Critical & Pain). October 2009. 9:139-143.

5. http://neuraxiom.com/html/infraclavicular.html.

6. http://bats.acinz/recourses/infraclavicular.php.

7. http://www.usra.ca.

8. http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/2000107-overview