The aims
The aim is to numb your arm so that you feel no pain during the operation. The block provides pain relief during the operation and for several hours afterwards. Your anaesthetist will talk to you before doing the block and explain whether you will be awake, asleep or sedated during the operation.
The benefits
There are a number of benefits. You may have serious medical conditions, such as heart or lung disease. In this case a general anaesthetic may have more risk than normal. Doing the block, instead of using a general anaesthetic, will cause less stress to your medical condition and be safer.
It is more common to perform a nerve block with a general anaesthetic. This gives excellent pain relief both during and after surgery. This means that the anaesthetist does not need to give as much anaesthetic or strong painkillers. This means a faster recovery and less sickness after the operation.
Are there any alternatives?
There are alternatives to a brachial plexus block. These are:
- General anaesthetic: You can have a general anaesthetic, where you are unconscious throughout, but without the brachial plexus block. Other strong painkillers, such as morphine, can be given to keep you comfortable when you wake up.
- Local anaesthetic: Sometimes, if the surgery is minor, local anaesthetic injections can be used to numb the operation area only.
If you are to have one of these anaesthetics there is another information leaflet that will tell you more about it.
Who should have it done?
Patients needing surgery on the arm or hand can have this type of anaesthetic for their operation.
Who should not have it done?
Each patient has the final decision to proceed or not. If you are unhappy about the procedure for any reason, you should not continue. There are specific medical situations when a brachial plexus block should not be done and they are as follows:
- If you take medication that prevents your blood from clotting, such as Warfarin; this would lead to more bleeding than normal. Bleeding around the nerves in the arm is a serious problem and must be avoided.
- If you have an illness that prevents your blood from clotting, such as haemophilia; this would lead to more bleeding around the nerves in the arm.
- Infection of the skin over the site where the needle needs to be put in; this could lead to further infection in the deeper tissues and possibly blood poisoning. This could also cause infection around the nerves.
- Unusual or difficult anatomy; this would make it difficult to put the needle in the correct place.
- Previous injury or disease affecting the brachial plexus. Perhaps you have had a previous injury to your upper arm, or axilla.
Author: Dr Sean White FRCA. Consultant in pain and anaesthesia
© Dumas Ltd 2006
