Severe respiratory failure after infraclavicular block with 0.75% ropivacaine: a case report.
Upper extremity surgery is usually performed with an axillary block. There is a risk of pneumothorax and phrenic nerve block when interscalene or supraclavicular block are used in day case surgery, or in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The infraclavicular block is a simple, reliable, and easy to learn method to block the brachial plexus. No clinically relevant respiratory effects have been reported with infraclavicular block. Nonetheless, we report a case of a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patient who developed severe respiratory failure requiring tracheal intubation after an infraclavicular block.
Gentili
Marc E
ME
Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care II, University of Rennes, Hôpital Hôtel Dieu, 2 Rue de l'Hôtel Dieu, 35000 Rennes, France. Marc.Gentili@wanadoo.fr
Deleuze
Arnaud
A
Estèbe
Jean-Pierre
JP
Lebourg
Michel
M
Ecoffey
Claude
C
D000208:Acute Disease; D000368:Aged; D000577:Amides; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D001132:Arm / Q000294:innervation / Q000601:surgery; D001917:Brachial Plexus; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000009:adverse effects*; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000150:complications; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D000077212:Ropivacaine
D000577:Amides; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D000077212:Ropivacaine