Supraclavicular brachial plexus and paravertebral blocks: novel regional anaesthetic technique for brachioaxillary fistula formation with a synthetic graft

Abstract

Summary Vascular access formation surgery for renal replacement therapy can be performed under local, regional or general anaesthesia. Regional anaesthesia may offer several advantages, however the sensory innervation to the upper medial arm can be difficult to adequately block. We describe a novel regional anaesthetic technique using both supraclavicular brachial plexus and paravertebral blocks for a multimorbid 73‐year‐old woman undergoing brachioaxillary fistula formation with a synthetic graft. An ultrasound‐guided supraclavicular brachial plexus block was performed, followed by an ultrasound‐guided T2/3 level paravertebral block. Adequate sensory blockade for surgery was achieved. Supplemental local anaesthetic infiltration was not required, and the operation was well tolerated by the patient. We consider this to be a valuable regional anaesthetic technique for vascular access formation surgery involving the upper arm.