Clavicle Surgery in a Patient with Respiratory Compromise: A Phrenic-Sparing Approach

 

The complex innervation of the clavicle presents a challenge to the anesthesiologist hoping to provide sufficient analgesia for clavicle fracture surgery.

 

One regional technique used for these cases is the combination of interscalene brachial plexus block and superficial cervical plexus block.

 

Oftentimes, aninterscalene block is relatively contraindicated due to the predictable motor blockade of the ipsilateral phrenic nerve associated with this approach.

 

We present a case of using a combined suprascapularnerve block and superficial cervical plexus block for analgesia following clavicle fracture surgery in a patient with respiratory compromise.