Use of Continuous Brachial Plexus Blockade for Treatment of Accidental Intra-Arterial Injection

Abstract

Introduction: Unintentional intra-arterial injection of drugs has serious problems and morbidity such as pain, ischemia, gangrene, and infection. Aberrant vascularization is a frequent cause of intra-arterial injection.Case Report: We describe a pediatric case of accidental cannulation of aberrant arterial vessel during venous insertion and our brachial plexus block treatment to obtain continuous vasodilatation to prevent ischemic effects.Conclusion: Sympatholysis with peripheral nerve blocks may decrease morbidity providing an additional benefit to pharmacological treatment by increasing blood flow to the tissue after the intra-arterial injection