Review Article
Open Access

Ultrasound-guided forearm selective nerve block: A bright future on the horizon

Ziwei Xia
Ziwei Xia
Graduate School, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221009, Jiangsu Province, China; Department of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Central Hospital, Xuzhou 221009, Jiangsu Province, China.
,
Guangkuo Ma
Guangkuo Ma
Graduate School, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221009, Jiangsu Province, China; Department of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Central Hospital, Xuzhou 221009, Jiangsu Province, China.
,
Huanjia Xue
Huanjia Xue
Graduate School, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221009, Jiangsu Province, China; Department of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Central Hospital, Xuzhou 221009, Jiangsu Province, China.
,
Hui Wu
Hui Wu
Graduate School, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221009, Jiangsu Province, China; Department of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Central Hospital, Xuzhou 221009, Jiangsu Province, China.
,
Liwei Wang
Liwei Wang
Graduate School, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221009, Jiangsu Province, China; Department of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Central Hospital, Xuzhou 221009, Jiangsu Province, China.
,
Kai Wang
Kai Wang
wangkaistream99@sina.com or 760020230115@xzhmu.edu.cn
Graduate School, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221009, Jiangsu Province, China; Department of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Central Hospital, Xuzhou 221009, Jiangsu Province, China.
Address correspondence to
Article notes
Highlights
Kai Wang, Department of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Central Hospital, No. 199 Jiefang South Road, Quanshan District, Xuzhou 221009, Jiangsu Province, China. Tel: +86-18112012729; E-mail: wangkaistream99@sina.com or 760020230115@xzhmu.edu.cn.
Received January 25, 2024; Accepted April 2, 2024; Published September 30, 2024
  • In the realm of forearm, wrist, and hand surgeries, ultrasound-guided forearm selective nerve block techniques offer distinct advantages over alternative methods such as Bier's block, brachial plexus block, and wrist block. These advantages include reduced anesthesia-related time, prolonged duration of analgesia, and minimal inter-ference with upper extremity motor function. 

  • Ultrasound-guided forearm selective nerve block stands as a straightforward and conducive anesthesia method ideally suited for distal upper limb surgeries. This approach harmonizes seamlessly with the principles of fast surgical recovery and enhances patient comfort during both diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. 

  • Supplementation of dexmedetomidine or dexamethasone in ultrasound-guided selective nerve blocks of the forearm has been shown to significantly prolong the duration of analgesia.

Review Article
Open Access
Ultrasound-guided forearm selective nerve block: A bright future on the horizon
Ziwei Xia
Ziwei Xia
Graduate School, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221009, Jiangsu Province, China; Department of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Central Hospital, Xuzhou 221009, Jiangsu Province, China.
,
Guangkuo Ma
Guangkuo Ma
Graduate School, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221009, Jiangsu Province, China; Department of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Central Hospital, Xuzhou 221009, Jiangsu Province, China.
,
Huanjia Xue
Huanjia Xue
Graduate School, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221009, Jiangsu Province, China; Department of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Central Hospital, Xuzhou 221009, Jiangsu Province, China.
,
Hui Wu
Hui Wu
Graduate School, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221009, Jiangsu Province, China; Department of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Central Hospital, Xuzhou 221009, Jiangsu Province, China.
,
Liwei Wang
Liwei Wang
Graduate School, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221009, Jiangsu Province, China; Department of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Central Hospital, Xuzhou 221009, Jiangsu Province, China.
,
Kai Wang
Kai Wang
wangkaistream99@sina.com or 760020230115@xzhmu.edu.cn
Graduate School, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221009, Jiangsu Province, China; Department of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Central Hospital, Xuzhou 221009, Jiangsu Province, China.
Address correspondence to
Kai Wang, Department of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Central Hospital, No. 199 Jiefang South Road, Quanshan District, Xuzhou 221009, Jiangsu Province, China. Tel: +86-18112012729; E-mail: wangkaistream99@sina.com or 760020230115@xzhmu.edu.cn.
Article notes
Received January 25, 2024; Accepted April 2, 2024; Published September 30, 2024
Highlights
  • In the realm of forearm, wrist, and hand surgeries, ultrasound-guided forearm selective nerve block techniques offer distinct advantages over alternative methods such as Bier's block, brachial plexus block, and wrist block. These advantages include reduced anesthesia-related time, prolonged duration of analgesia, and minimal inter-ference with upper extremity motor function. 

  • Ultrasound-guided forearm selective nerve block stands as a straightforward and conducive anesthesia method ideally suited for distal upper limb surgeries. This approach harmonizes seamlessly with the principles of fast surgical recovery and enhances patient comfort during both diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. 

  • Supplementation of dexmedetomidine or dexamethasone in ultrasound-guided selective nerve blocks of the forearm has been shown to significantly prolong the duration of analgesia.

2024 Sep;2(3):90-98
PDF
On This Page
CITE
Accesses: 25

Abstract

Objective: In light of the advancement of modern medicine, anesthesiologists and surgeons are increasingly prioritizing patient comfort in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. A growing body of research revolves around the utilization of ultrasound-guided forearm selective nerve blocks for surgeries involving the distal upper limb. This review aims to provide an overview of regional anesthesia techniques in forearm, hand, and wrist surgeries, laying a theoretical foundation for the prospects of ultrasound-guided forearm selective nerve blocks in optimizing comfort during diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Methods: A retrospective review of literature sourced from the PubMed database was conducted to comprehensively evaluate and elucidate the advantages and drawbacks of ultrasound-guided forearm selective nerve blocks, brachial plexus blocks, Bier blocks, and wrist blocks. Additionally, a summary was provided regarding the selection of local anesthetics for ultrasound-guided forearm selective nerve blocks. Results: Overall, ultrasound-guided forearm selective nerve block techniques exhibit several advantages over Bier's block, brachial plexus block, and wrist block for the majority of forearm, wrist, and hand surgeries. These advantages include reduced anesthesia-related time, prolonged duration of analgesia, and minimal impairment of upper extremity motor function. Consequently, these techniques enhance surgical safety and facilitate postoperative recovery. Furthermore, the addition of dexmedetomidine or dexamethasone to ultrasound-guided selective nerve blocks of the forearm could extend the duration of analgesia. Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided forearm selective nerve block is a straightforward and conducive anesthesia method for distal upper limb surgeries, aligning with the principles of fast surgical recovery and enhanced patient comfort during diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Given its manifold benefits, widespread promotion and adoption of this technique in clinical practice are warranted.

Keywords: Ultrasound, distal peripheral forearm block, brachial plexus block, dexmedetomidine, dexamethasone
Perioperative Precision Medicine

ISSN: 2957-5443

Volume 2, Issue 3

September 2024

Pages: 73-123

PDF CITE Accesses: 25
Perioperative Precision Medicine
ISSN: 2957-5443
ZENTIME PUBLISHING CORPORATION LIMITED
On This Page
CITE
On This Page
Abstract