Anesthesia & Clinical Research
Open Access

Abstract

Bilateral Brachial Plexus Block and Avoiding Its Complications: A Case Report

Hapugoda Minura* and Kariyawasam Kadlp

Literature on performing bilateral brachial plexus blocks is rare as it’s seldom performed due to the reluctance of anaesthesiologist. It’s due to the fear of the associated complications such as hemi-diaphragmatic paralysis, local anaesthetic systemic toxicity, and pneumothorax and block failure. We present the case of a 21-year-old patient flowing a road traffic accident with anticipated difficult airway, who underwent bilateral upper limb surgery where bilateral brachial plexus blocks were used as the sole mode of anaesthesia. Through careful patient selection, use of ultrasound guidance to reduce the minimum effective volume of local anaesthetic and to identify anatomy to prevent inadvertent injury, prevention of rapid rise of plasma concentration of local and using a combination of brachial plexus blocks the potential complications can be mitigated.

Published Date: 2021-08-30; Received Date: 2021-07-08