Axillary Plexus Block — A Continuous Technique

Abstract

The concept of the neurovascular sheath is the basis of the axillary brachial plexus block and the main principle of the axillary technique is injection within the neurovascular sheath. This relies on the assumption that an injection within the sheath is followed by a free spread of anaesthetic solution which causes neural blockade of all the nerves within the sheath. The position of the needle point, the exact site of injection, is less important as long as the injection is made inside the sheath. Continuous block with an indwelling catheter is therefore quite a logical extension of the perivascular axillary block technique. Axillary plexus block with a catheter has been proposed by several investigators. Selander [1] from Gothenburg described in 1977 a simple and reliable technique with a Venflon catheter.