title: [Anatomic basis of continuous axillary block of the brachial plexus with thoracic reservoir].
abstract: Although continuous axillary block is effective for periods of up to four to six weeks, pain clinic patients with severe chronic pain in the upper extremities, mainly resulting from neuropathic disease, can require continuous drug delivery by catheter-reservoir for up to three months or longer. We studied possible locations for implanting reservoirs or catheters from the perivascular axillary space in fresh cadavers, checking for possible vascular or nerve damage after applying the usual technique for reservoir implantation. The ideal location for the reservoir is the subcutaneous tissue of the homolateral infraclavicular space of the anterior side of the thorax. The customary procedures for inserting the catheter along the subcutaneous route that extends from the perivascular axillary space to the reservoir carry no risk of damaging vascular or nerve structures.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Anestesiología, Reanimación y Tratamiento del Dolor, Hospital de Traumatología, Hospitals Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona.
authors.forename: M V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Ribera Canudas
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Golanó Alvarez
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Suso Vergara
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jornet-Ballo
mesh_terms: D001917:Brachial Plexus / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling; D006801:Humans; D015918:Infusion Pumps, Implantable; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D013909:Thorax
vernacular_title: Bases anatómicas del bloqueo axilar continuo del plexo braquial con reservorio torácico.