Hadzic's Regional Anesthesia > Part III. Clinical Practice of Regional Anesthesia > Section Five. Upper Extremity Nerve Blocks > Chapter 24. Cervical Paravertebral Block André P. Boezaart, MD

Cervical Paravertebral Block: Introduction

"The cervical paravertebral approach to the brachial plexus results in a volume-dependent blockade of the roots of the brachial plexus. Cervical paravertebral block is indicated for anesthesia and postoperative analgesia in all major surgery on the upper extremity, including surgery on the shoulder, elbow, and wrist.¹ It is also suitable for patients in whom it is difficult to reach the brachial plexus trunks via the interscalene approach.² Because both the loss-of-resistance technique and nerve stimulation can be used for placement of this block, it is well suited to postoperative placement or for other patients (eg, patients with fractures of the arm) in whom motor activity due to nerve stimulation may be poorly tolerated.¹..."