Brachial plexus injury following brachial plexus block

Area of Science:

• Anesthesiology
• Neurology

Background:

• Supraclavicular brachial plexus block is a common regional anesthesia technique.
• Complications, though rare, can occur and require careful management.

Observation:

• A patient developed left upper limb paralysis two days post-supraclavicular brachial plexus block.
• The paralysis persisted for eight weeks.

Findings:

• Brachial plexus injury is a potential, albeit infrequent, complication of brachial plexus blocks.
• Differential diagnoses for post-block neurological deficits were considered.

Implications:

• Understanding potential complications is crucial for safe regional anesthesia practice.
• Implementing specific recommendations may reduce the incidence of brachial plexus injuries.
• Further research into minimizing nerve injury during regional anesthesia is warranted.