Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 29, 2026

Minimally Invasive Surgical Decompression of Occipital Nerves
Published on: September 13, 2024
Teaching peripheral nerve blocks for the head and neck area to dermatologists
J Paoli1, C Halldin, C Sandberg
1Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Institute of Clinical Sciences at Sahlgrenska Academy, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden. john.paoli@vgregion.se
Background:
Peripheral nerve blocks in the head and neck region can be useful for a large number of surgical or otherwise painful procedures carried out by dermatologists. As anaesthesiologists cannot always be available to help dermatologists place nerve blocks in outpatient settings, training courses for these physicians are warranted.
Objectives:
To present a method of teaching nerve blocks for the face and scalp to dermatologists during residency and/or continuing medical education programmes.
Methods:
Half-day courses with theoretical education, video demonstrations and supervised 'hands-on' training were organized to teach supraorbital/supratrochlear, infraorbital, mental and occipital nerve blocks. The outcome and effects of these training courses were analysed with a survey amongst participants 1-2 years after the course.
Results:
All the 20 participants who responded the survey successfully placed at least one type of nerve block during the course. Thirteen of 20 participants (65%) reported to be able to perform all the nerve block techniques at follow-up.
Conclusions:
Dermatologists can learn how to perform nerve blocks for the face and scalp in a safe and controlled manner through half-day courses, including theory, video demonstrations and supervised 'hands-on' training.
Related Concept Videos
Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Surface, Infiltration, and Conduction Block Anesthesia
Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Intravenous Regional Anesthesia
One of the advantages of...
Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Spinal Anesthesia
Local Anesthetics: Differential Sensitivity of Nerve Fibers
Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Epidural Anesthesia
Since epidural anesthetics can be infused through an epidural catheter, all types of drugs, including short-acting ones, can be administered. Chloroprocaine and lidocaine are examples of short and long-duration anesthetics, respectively. Bupivacaine...
Spinal Nerves: Plexus I
The Cervical Plexus
The cervical plexus, formed by the anterior rami of the first four...

