Hadzic's Regional Anesthesia > Part III. Clinical Practice of Regional Anesthesia > Section Five. Upper Extremity Nerve Blocks > Chapter 27. Infraclavicular Brachial Plexus Block Laura Lowrey Clark, MD

Infraclavicular Brachial Plexus Block: Introduction

"The infraclavicular block is quick to perform and provides a complete block of the upper arm. Unlike the axillary approach, an infraclavicular block can be performed without abduction of the arm. Complications and contraindications are comparable to those for an axillary approach. It is conducive to placement of the continuous catheter by being more accessible and more comfortable for the patient than a catheter in the axilla. The infraclavicular area can be accessed by several approaches that permit flexibility, and the use of ultrasound guidance is also possible. The clinical application of this block has a short history and is continuing to evolve with modifications of the technique. Infraclavicular blockade is a useful alternative to the axillary approach and has the potential to be more popular than axillary block in the near future...."