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Original Research
A review of the anatomy and a step-by-step visual guide to performing an ultrasound-guided infraclavicular brachial plexus block
Southern African Journal of Anaesthesia and Analgesia | Vol 26, No 1 | a901 |
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36303/SAJAA.2020.26.1.2292
| © 2020 S. Govender, D. Möhr, Z.N. Tshabalala, A. van Schoor
| This work is licensed under Other
Submitted: 11 November 2025 | Published: 27 February 2020
Submitted: 11 November 2025 | Published: 27 February 2020
About the author(s)
S. Govender, Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, South Africa; and, Section of Clinical Anatomy, Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, South AfricaD. Möhr, Section of Clinical Anatomy, Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, South Africa; and, Private Practice, South Africa
Z.N. Tshabalala, Section of Clinical Anatomy, Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, South Africa
A. van Schoor, Section of Clinical Anatomy, Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, South Africa
Full Text:
PDF (377KB)Abstract
Background: The aim of this description is to provide step-by-step guidelines for performing an ultrasound-guided infraclavicular brachial plexus nerve block.
Methods: The brachial plexus in the infraclavicular fossa of sixty healthy volunteers was scanned in the horizontal/transverse plane. The relevant regional anatomy was studied to identify the muscular and vascular structures seen on the ultrasound screen.
Results: The entire process was documented and a standard, step-by-step guide to performing ultrasound-guided vertical infraclavicular brachial plexus blocks was developed.
Conclusion: The development of high-resolution ultrasound guidance has allowed for the direct visualisation of the brachial plexus when performing nerve blocks. Ultrasound-guided infraclavicular brachial plexus nerve blocks are becoming more popular. This description aimed to provide step-by-step guidelines on how to perform this block safely and efficiently.
Methods: The brachial plexus in the infraclavicular fossa of sixty healthy volunteers was scanned in the horizontal/transverse plane. The relevant regional anatomy was studied to identify the muscular and vascular structures seen on the ultrasound screen.
Results: The entire process was documented and a standard, step-by-step guide to performing ultrasound-guided vertical infraclavicular brachial plexus blocks was developed.
Conclusion: The development of high-resolution ultrasound guidance has allowed for the direct visualisation of the brachial plexus when performing nerve blocks. Ultrasound-guided infraclavicular brachial plexus nerve blocks are becoming more popular. This description aimed to provide step-by-step guidelines on how to perform this block safely and efficiently.
Keywords
brachial plexus; nerve blocks; infraclavicular; ultrasound-guided
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