Median Nerve Block
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Median nerve blocks at the wrist, either alone or in combination with blockade of the ulnar and radial nerves, are useful emergency department (ED) procedures. Compared to local anesthesia, nerve blocks provide greater efficacy and coverage of anesthesia useful for more complicated wounds or procedures involving the hand. In general, adequate anesthesia is a prerequisite to proper irrigation, examination, and repair of all wounds.
The median nerve can be blocked at multiple sites along its passage through the upper extremity. However, only the wrist block is commonly used in the ED setting.
Safe and effective application of the median nerve block requires a thorough understanding of the regional anatomy (see images below).
A median nerve block at the wrist provides anesthesia and analgesia to the palmar surfaces of the lateral two-thirds of the palm, the thumb, the index and middle fingers, and one half of the ring finger (see image below).
The median nerve passes through the carpal tunnel and gives rise to the palmar digital nerves supplying sensation to the lateral digits and motor innervation of the lateral two lumbricals. Sensation in the palm is supplied by superficial branches of the median nerve arising in the distal forearm. A recurrent branch of the median nerve also provides motor function to the thenar muscles.
For simple lacerations, nerve blocks at the wrist may be slower and less reliable than local infiltration or digital block. However, they can be particularly useful in the following ED applications:
Simultaneous injury to multiple digits
Large abrasions or avulsions of the hand that require thorough irrigation, debridement, or both
Avoiding distortion of anatomy in areas with limited subcutaneous tissue or tissue that is already excessively swollen
Simultaneously anesthetizing several lacerations in close proximity
In many of these situations, the median nerve block can be combined with ulnar or radial blocks at the wrist to achieve the desired coverage. Ultrasound-guided forearm nerve blocks are effective for pediatric patients in the ED. [1]
See the list below:
Allergy to anesthesia: Consider using procaine (an ester anesthetic) in patients with true allergy to lidocaine or bupivacaine (amide anesthetics).
Anatomic variation: Median nerve block may be contraindicated in the presence of prior surgery or injury at the wrist, proximal vascular grafts, or arteriovenous (AV) fistula.
Additional injuries: The presence of additional injuries proximal to the wrist may necessitate a more proximal nerve block. Bier blocks or nerve blocks at the brachial plexus are more effective but require additional expertise to employ.
Hepatic failure: Amide anesthetics, including lidocaine and bupivacaine, are metabolized by the liver. Take extra care to minimize systemic toxicity in patients with hepatic failure.
The choice of anesthetic depends upon the specific procedure to be performed and the desired duration of effect.
The most commonly used agent is 2% lidocaine. The higher concentration increases the concentration gradient in the tissue, allowing for faster spread of the agent from a smaller volume.
Bupivacaine (0.25%-0.5%) can also be used for longer duration of anesthesia. Bupivacaine is not advised by the manufacturer for children younger than 12 years because of a lack of safety data.
Hypersensitivity reactions are rare and may be due to preservatives rather than the anesthetic itself. [2] Lidocaine and bupivacaine are both amide anesthetics and may have allergic cross-sensitivity. Procaine, an ester anesthetic, may be tolerated in patients with true allergic reactions to lidocaine.
The maximum dose should be considered but is not frequently an issue for minor injuries in adults. Nerve blocks may also require less total dose than local injection.
As with digital nerve blocks, epinephrine-containing solutions have been traditionally avoided because of the theoretical risk of extremity ischemia from arterial constriction. However, reliable reports of this complication, even in digital nerve blocks, are lacking, and recent studies of epinephrine-containing solutions have shown more benefit than harm for that application. [3] In the case of median nerve blocks, epinephrine is unlikely to decrease bleeding at the site of injury and cannot be advised for this purpose.
As lidocaine solutions are preserved at a low pH level, they may also be buffered with sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO 3 ) to decrease the pain of administration. [4]
The details of 2% lidocaine (plus NaHCO 3 ) are as follows:
2% lidocaine contains 20 mg/mL
Onset: 10-20 min
Duration: 2-5 hours
Maximum dose: 4 mg/kg; not to exceed 300 mg
The details of 0.5% bupivacaine are as follows:
0.5% bupivacaine contains 5 mg/mL
Onset: 10-30 min
Duration: 5-15 hours
Maximum dose: 2.5 mg/kg; not to exceed 175 mg
For information comparing local anesthetics and a thorough discussion regarding allergic reactions to local anesthetics, see Local Anesthetic Agents, Infiltrative Administration.
The field should be sterilely prepared. Chlorhexidine solution is the preferred agent for many practitioners and is recommended by the CDC for optimal sterility in other applications.
A 25- to 27-gauge needle is appropriate. A smaller needle is less likely to cause direct nerve damage and causes less pain with injection. However, smaller needles do have disadvantages. With a smaller needle, confirmation of intravascular location by pulling back the plunger is more difficult. Also, a smaller needle may also elicit less paresthesia prior to injection, if placed intraneuronally.
Positioning is critical to all procedures in the ED. Attention to practitioner and patient comfort maximizes success.
Elevate the bed and place the patient’s arm on a Mayo stand or other support. Place a small roll under the wrist to extend the wrist slightly.
Prior to any nerve block, perform and document a thorough neurovascular examination. Two-point discrimination is performed in the region to be blocked, with comparison to the contralateral limb.
At the wrist, the median nerve lies within the carpal tunnel, deep and radial to the palmaris longus (PL) tendon and medial to the flexor carpi radialis (FCR) tendon.
Injection is performed by insertion of the needle perpendicular to the skin between the PL and FCR tendons, angled slightly to place the needle tip directly beneath the PL (see image below). The injection is made 2-3 cm proximal to the distal crease of the wrist to avoid injecting within the carpal tunnel.
The location of the PL and FCR tendons can be highlighted by having the patient flex the middle finger against resistance or pinch the thumb and little finger together.
Some individuals lack the PL tendon, in which case the injection is made 5 mm ulnar (medial) to the FCR tendon, or approximately at the midpoint of the wrist.
The needle is inserted to a depth of 1-2 cm. Passage through the fibrous flexor retinaculum may be felt. The nerve lies more superficial than one may expect. However, injecting in a space too deep is better than in a space too shallow, as the retinaculum prevents anesthetic from reaching the nerve if injected too superficially.
An anesthetic volume of 3-5 mL is appropriate. Aspiration to prevent intravascular injection is generally advised to prevent systemic toxicity. If resistance to injection is met or paresthesia is elicited on needle insertion, the needle should be repositioned slightly more medial to avoid intraneuronal injection.
To include the peripheral (palmar) branches, a small wheal of anesthetic is placed subcutaneously as the needle is withdrawn and massaged gently over the volar wrist.
After injection, adequate time must be allowed for full effect (at least 10 minutes) before the desired procedure is performed on the hand.
An alternative method for performing these blocks under dynamic ultrasonographic guidance has recently been evaluated for use in the ED. [5, 6] One study found ultrasound-guided forearm nerve blocks effective for pediatric patients in the ED. [1]
As with most procedures, proper positioning of the patient and practitioner is critical to success and safety.
Give the patient instructions on care for the anesthetized hand and fingers, especially when using long-acting anesthetics. Anesthetized extremities are at greater risk of injury.
Complications may include the following:
Infection: This complication should be extremely rare when proper technique is used.
Hematoma: This complication is more likely to occur if multiple punctures are made. Proper technique should keep the needle far from the radial or ulnar arteries.
Nerve injury: Reposition the needle if increased pain or paresthesia is noted, and avoid injection against resistance.
Vascular compromise: Avoidance of epinephrine-containing solutions is generally recommended, although this risk may be exaggerated.
Frenkel O, Liebmann O, Fischer JW. Ultrasound-guided forearm nerve blocks in kids: a novel method for pain control in the treatment of hand-injured pediatric patients in the emergency department. Pediatr Emerg Care. 2015 Apr. 31 (4):255-9. [Medline].
Heavner JE. Local anesthetics. Curr Opin Anaesthesiol. 2007 Aug. 20(4):336-42. [Medline].
Waterbrook AL, Germann CA, Southall JC. Is epinephrine harmful when used with anesthetics for digital nerve blocks?. Ann Emerg Med. 2007 Oct. 50(4):472-5. [Medline].
Bartfield JM, Ford DT, Homer PJ. Buffered versus plain lidocaine for digital nerve blocks. Ann Emerg Med. 1993 Feb. 22(2):216-9. [Medline].
Liebmann O, Price D, Mills C, Gardner R, Wang R, Wilson S, et al. Feasibility of forearm ultrasonography-guided nerve blocks of the radial, ulnar, and median nerves for hand procedures in the emergency department. Ann Emerg Med. 2006 Nov. 48(5):558-62. [Medline].
Sehmbi H, Madjdpour C, Shah UJ, Chin KJ. Ultrasound guided distal peripheral nerve block of the upper limb: A technical review. J Anaesthesiol Clin Pharmacol. 2015 Jul-Sep. 31 (3):296-307. [Medline].
Frederick HA, Carter PR, Littler JW. Injection injuries to the median and ulnar nerves at the wrist. J Hand Surg [Am]. 1992 Jul. 17(4):645-7. [Medline].
Salam GA. Regional anesthesia for office procedures: Part II. Extremity and inguinal area surgeries. Am Fam Physician. 2004 Feb 15. 69(4):896-900. [Medline].
Valvano MN, Leffler S. Comparison of bupivacaine and lidocaine/bupivacaine for local anesthesia/digital nerve block. Ann Emerg Med. 1996 Apr. 27(4):490-2. [Medline].
Ethan E Bodle, MD, MPH Associate Physician, Department of Emergency Medicine, Kaiser Permanente East Bay Medical Center
Ethan E Bodle, MD, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Emergency Physicians, American Public Health Association
Disclosure: Received income in an amount equal to or greater than $250 from: Gilead Sciences.
Kaushal H Shah, MD, FACEP Director of Trauma Services, Director of Medical Student Education, Attending Physician, Department of Emergency Medicine, St Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital
Kaushal H Shah, MD, FACEP is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Emergency Physicians
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.
Mary L Windle, PharmD Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.
Meda Raghavendra (Raghu), MD Associate Professor, Interventional Pain Management, Department of Anesthesiology, Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Medical Center
Meda Raghavendra (Raghu), MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Society of Anesthesiologists, American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.
Luis M Lovato, MD Associate Clinical Professor, University of California, Los Angeles, David Geffen School of Medicine; Director of Critical Care, Department of Emergency Medicine, Olive View-UCLA Medical Center
Luis M Lovato, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American College of Emergency Physicians, Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.
Medscape Reference thanks James R Verheyden, MD, Consulting Surgeon, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The Orthopedic and Neurosurgical Center of the Cascades, for assistance with the video contribution to this article.
Median Nerve Block
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