Alemanno's brachial plexus block ten years later: topographic study of the anesthetized areas

The study analyzes the extension of anesthesia induced by Alemanno's brachial plexus block technique on the various areas of competence of the different nerves.

The study was conducted on 58 patients in ASA classes 1 and 2 scheduled to receive shoulder arthroscopy. At the end of the operation, about 2 hours after induction of anesthesia, extension of anesthesia was evaluated by the pin-prick test.

Anesthesia was achieved in 100% of cases for the circumflexus, musculocutaneous and radial nerves; the median nerve escaped in 7% of cases, the medial cutaneous nerve of forearm in 20%, the ulnar nerve in 27.5%, the medial cutaneous nerve of arm and intercostobrachial nerves in 46%; no major complications were associated with the technique.

Alemanno's technique is recommended for operations on the shoulder and humerus, whereas more peripheral techniques may be preferable for interventions on the forearm and hand.