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Failure of supraclavicular block under ultrasound guidance: clinical relevance of anatomical variation of cervical vessels

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Abstract

We describe a case with partial analgesia after ultrasound-guided supraclavicular block for elbow surgery. The failure of the block was caused by the limited spread of local anesthetic because of blockage by a vessel (either transverse cervical artery or dorsal scapular artery) running through the brachial plexus. Anesthesiologists should be aware that cervical anatomy is complex and has anatomical variations. Thus, careful ultrasound screening of anatomical structure, especially using color Doppler, is important in performing brachial plexus block.

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Author notes

  1. Aaron Frankel

    Present address: Medical Anesthesia Consultants, San Ramon, CA, 94583, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, University of California, San Francisco, 521 Parnassus Ave, San Francisco, CA, 94143-0648, USA

    Sakura Kinjo & Aaron Frankel

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  1. Sakura Kinjo
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  2. Aaron Frankel
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Correspondence to Sakura Kinjo.

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Kinjo, S., Frankel, A. Failure of supraclavicular block under ultrasound guidance: clinical relevance of anatomical variation of cervical vessels. J Anesth 26, 100–102 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00540-011-1252-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00540-011-1252-y

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