[Truncal and peripheral blocks of the arm]

Abstract

Blocking the median, the radial, the ulnar and the musculo-cutaneous nerves, alone or all together provide sufficient anaesthesia for hand and forearm surgery. Because of frequent anatomical variations and the possibility of a double nerve supply in some territories, blockade must be extended to the adjacent nerves. Tourniquet over the elbow is the only limit for these blocks, but they are useful to provide per and postoperative analgesia during general anaesthesia, and in some cases to improve the efficiency of brachial plexus block.