BRACHIAL PLEXUS BLOCK ANESTHESIA IN CHILDREN

Abstract

Since 1897 there have been many works published on anesthesia of the upper extremity by injection of the brachial plexus. The general consensus is in accord with Labat's observation that "the brachial plexus block is the method of choice for all major operations on the upper extremity."¹However, the commendation accorded this method of anesthesia has not elevated it to the position that it merits in the armamentarium of the pediatric anesthesiologist. The literature has commonly indicated that children are poor subjects for local anesthesia because of the difficulty in obtaining their cooperation and because they may sustain serious psychic trauma during the procedure.²That this is not a universal attitude is manifested by a number of articles which suggest that children are suitable subjects for brachial plexus block.³ The following is a report of the program pursued in the management of 151 brachial plexus block anesthesias