Related Experiment Videos
Axillary block complicated by hematoma and radial nerve injury
1Department of Anesthesia, Herzlia-Haifa (Horev) Medical Center, Israel.
Background And Objectives:
Hematoma is typically cited as one mechanism of nerve injury following axillary block. However, documented cases of this are lacking.
Methods:
A healthy 38-year-old man was scheduled for surgical removal of a tumor of the hand. A transarterial axillary block was performed with a 22-gauge short-bevel needle using 40 mL of a mixture of equal volumes of 1.5% lidocaine and 0.5% bupivacaine containing 1:200,000 epinephrine. No paresthesias were reported. Postoperative, the patient developed a large axillary hematoma accompanied by paresthesias and radial nerve weakness.
Results:
With conservative management, nerve recovery was complete in 6 months.
Conclusions:
Hematoma complicating axillary block may result in nerve dysfunction.