title: Surface stimulation to determine needle direction and angle when performing an infraclavicular brachial plexus block.
abstract: The infraclavicular approach to the brachial plexus is a safe and reliable technique for surgery of the upper extremity. When performing the block, the anesthesiologist must appreciate three variables: needle direction, needle angle to the chest wall, and needle depth. Surface stimulation is an easy technique that can reliably predict both needle direction and needle angle.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Hospital for Joint Diseases and New York University Medical Center, New York 10003, USA.
authors.forename: David B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Albert
authors.forename: Daria
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dudarevitch
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bloom
authors.forename: Andrew D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Rosenberg
mesh_terms: D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001132:Arm / Q000294:innervation / Q000601:surgery; D001917:Brachial Plexus / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery*; D002968:Clavicle / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000294:innervation; D004558:Electric Stimulation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D004566:Electrodes; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008475:Median Nerve / Q000502:physiology; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012867:Skin / Q000294:innervation
chemical_list: D000779:Anesthetics, Local