Anaesthesia and intensive care
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Nov 1979
The incidence and aetiology of phrenic nerve blockade associated with supraclavicular brachial plexus block.
A trial to ascertain the true incidence of inadvertent phrenic nerve block with brachial plexus block via the supraclavicular approach was carried out. Phrenic nerve block was monitored by x-ray screening of the diaphragm. ⋯ The possible causes of phrenic nerve block with brachial block are discussed. It is concluded that the phrenic nerve is blocked peripherally in front of the scalenus anterior.
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An introducer to facilitate nasotracheal intubation is described. The instrument is passed orally and a distal hook engages in the Murphy foramen of a P. V. C. nasal tube to direct it atraumatically into the trachea.
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Objective assessment of the results of surgical sympathectomy and sympathetic block (both temporary and permanent) are not widely practised. This article comments briefly on the available methods, and describes the use of the abolition of the skin potential response (formerly known as the psychogalvanic reflex) to assess the abolition of sympathetic function. This method of assessment has proved useful in clinical practice.