Interscalene
INTERSCALENE BLOCK
Author: Valeria Mossetti
1. Indications
Interscalene block provides anaesthesia and analgesia for surgery on shoulder, distal
clavicle and proximal humerus.
2. Contraindications
– Local infection
– This block should not be performed bilaterally because of the potentially
respiratory problems originating from the phrenic nerve block, almost always
present with this technique even with the ultrasound guide.
3. Anatomy
The interscalene roots of the brachial plexus (C5, C6, C7) run in the interscalene
groove between the anterior and middle scalene muscles, which are located at the
lateral border of the clavicular origin of the sternocleidomastoid muscle.
4. Technique
The patient is in supine position, the head is slightly turned away from the side to be
blocked.