Brachial plexus blockade

Brachial plexus block is an excellent alternative to general anaesthesia for a wide variety of upper limb procedures and a useful analgesic component for some of the other more major elective and emergency procedures. The vast majority of orthopaedic, plastic and vascular operations can be carried out safely using one of 2 blocks, i.e. the axillary or interscalene, allowing skill and experience to be concentrated. These blocks provide efficacy with fewest significant adverse effects and their reliable performance can best be achieved using the peripheral nerve stimulator. By combining ease of performance with efficacy, it is hoped that many more practitioners will consider using these techniques in routine clinical practice.