Continuous brachial plexus blockade. A technique that uses an axillary catheter to allow successful skin grafting

An 82-year-old woman sustained a full thickness burn of her hand. A technique for producing anaesthesia of the brachial plexus via an indwelling catheter is described. Confirmation of the catheter position was obtained by X ray. Bupivacaine was infused via the catheter after operation to produce immobilisation of the hand to ensure multiple skin grafts would take. Consequent with this goal was excellent postoperative analgesia.