Prolonged hemidiaphragmatic paresis following continuous interscalene brachial plexus block: A case report.
Interscalene brachial plexus block provides effective anesthesia and analgesia for shoulder surgery. One of the disadvantages of this technique is the risk of hemidiaphragmatic paresis, which can occur as a result of phrenic nerve block and can cause a decrease in the pulmonary function, limiting the use of the block in patients with reduced functional residual capacity or a preexisting pulmonary disease. However, it is generally transient and is resolved over the duration of the local anesthetic's action.We present a case of a patient who experienced prolonged hemidiaphragmatic paresis following a continuous interscalene brachial plexus block for the postoperative pain management of shoulder surgery, and suggest a mechanism that may have led to this adverse effect.Nerve injuries associated with peripheral nerve blocks may be caused by several mechanisms. Our findings suggest that perioperative nerve injuries can occur as a result of combined mechanical and chemical injuries.
Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Konyang University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
Helen Ki
HK
Shinn
Byung-Gun
BG
Kim
Jong Kwon
JK
Jung
Hee Uk
HU
Kwon
Chunwoo
C
Yang
Jonghun
J
Won
D000368:Aged; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000009:adverse effects; D065527:Brachial Plexus Block / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002045:Bupivacaine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D012133:Respiratory Paralysis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D000070636:Rotator Cuff Injuries / Q000601:surgery
D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D002045:Bupivacaine