[Articular and cutaneous nerve block at elbow: two cases report]

Area of Science:

• Regional anesthesia
• Ultrasound-guided nerve blocks
• Elbow anatomy and innervation

Background:

• Assessing nerve integrity post-elbow fracture is crucial for surgical management.
• Traditional brachial plexus blocks can impede immediate postoperative nerve function evaluation.
• A novel block is needed to facilitate prompt neurological assessment.

Observation:

• Two cases utilized ultrasound guidance for a novel selective articular and cutaneous nerve block of the elbow.
• General anesthesia was administered in both cases.
• The block was performed without prior description in existing literature.

Findings:

• The novel block provided stable intraoperative hemodynamics.
• Excellent postoperative analgesia was achieved.
• The block successfully enabled surgeons to assess nerve viability in the immediate postoperative period.

Implications:

• Selective articular cutaneous elbow blocks offer a viable alternative for perioperative pain management.
• This technique allows for crucial postoperative assessment of motor and sensory nerve function.
• It enhances surgical decision-making in complex elbow fracture cases with suspected nerve injury.