Teaching peripheral nerve blocks for the head and neck area to dermatologists

Abstract

Background: Peripheral nerve blocks in the head and neck region can be useful for a large number of surgical or otherwise painful procedures carried out by dermatologists. As anaesthesiologists cannot always be available to help dermatologists place nerve blocks in outpatient settings, training courses for these physicians are warranted.

Objectives: To present a method of teaching nerve blocks for the face and scalp to dermatologists during residency and/or continuing medical education programmes.

Methods: Half-day courses with theoretical education, video demonstrations and supervised 'hands-on' training were organized to teach supraorbital/supratrochlear, infraorbital, mental and occipital nerve blocks. The outcome and effects of these training courses were analysed with a survey amongst participants 1-2 years after the course.

Results: All the 20 participants who responded the survey successfully placed at least one type of nerve block during the course. Thirteen of 20 participants (65%) reported to be able to perform all the nerve block techniques at follow-up.

Conclusions: Dermatologists can learn how to perform nerve blocks for the face and scalp in a safe and controlled manner through half-day courses, including theory, video demonstrations and supervised 'hands-on' training.