ULTRASOUND-GUIDED INTERCOSTAL NERVE BLOCK

Course overview

INTERCOSTAL NERVE BLOCKADE IS A SELECTIVE SUPERFICIAL REGIONAL ANESTHESIA TECHNIQUE EASILY PERFORMED AT THE BEDSIDE WITH OR WITHOUT ULTRASOUND GUIDANCE. INTERCOSTAL NERVE BLOCKADE IS A DIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPEUTIC PROCEDURE THAT CAN PROVIDE ANALGESIA OR AUGMENT ANESTHESIA IN VARIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES, SUCH AS BLUNT THORACIC TRAUMA, CHEST WALL SURGERIES, AND POSTHERPETIC NEURALGIA. THE PROCEDURE IS GENERALLY WELL-TOLERATED AND HAS A LOW COMPLICATION RATE, PARTICULARLY WHEN PERFORMED UNDER ULTRASOUND GUIDANCE. IN ADDITION, WHEN USED IN THE PERIOPERATIVE PERIOD, INTRACOSTAL NERVE BLOCKADE CAN REDUCE PATIENT OPIOID CONSUMPTION. THIS ACTIVITY DESCRIBES THE ANATOMY CLINICALLY RELEVANT TO INTERCOSTAL NERVE BLOCKADE AND THE INDICATIONS, CONTRAINDICATIONS, AND COMPLICATIONS OF THIS PROCEDURE. THE ACTIVITY ALSO REVIEWS THE BEST PRACTICES IN PERFORMING THE PROCEDURE AND THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN PROVIDING CARE TO PATIENTS UNDERGOING ULTRASOUND-GUIDED INTERCOSTAL NERVE BLOCKADE.