We enjoyed reading a succinct description of the Retroclavicular Approach to the Infraclavicular
Region (RAPTIR) by Luftig et al. [
[1]
] The authors have highlighted how this approach is promising in overcoming the challenges
of traditional ultrasound-guided infraclavicular brachial plexus block that suffers
from the issues of poor needle visibility [
[2]
. We have been intrigued by the retroclavicular technique ever since the publication
of a feasibility study by Charbonneau and colleagues [
[3]
. Subsequently, Kavrut Ozturk et al. have published the comparative study showing that
the retroclavicular approach provides better needle visibility while preserving the
advantages of the sub-coracoid infraclavicular approach [
[4]
]. We have been successfully using retroclavicular block technique for the past one-year
both for single shot blocks as well as for continuous catheters. We would like to
share some of our experience with the readers.Keywords
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References
- Ultrasound-guided retroclavicular approach infraclavicular brachial plexus block for upper extremity emergency procedures.Am J Emerg Med. 2017; 35: 773-777
- Effect of body mass index on angle of needle insertion during ultrasound-guided lateral sagittal infraclavicular brachial plexus block.J Clin Anesth. 2015; 27: 375-379
- The ultrasound-guided retroclavicular block: a prospective feasibility study.Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2015; 40: 605-609
- Comparison of the coracoid and retroclavicular approaches for ultrasound-guided infraclavicular brachial plexus block.J Anesth. 2017;
- The retroclavicular brachial plexus block: additional advantages.Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2015; 40: 733-734
- Effect of beam steering on the visibility of echogenic and non-echogenic needles: a laboratory study.Can J Anaesth. 2014; 61: 909-915
Article Info
Publication History
Published online: September 29, 2017
Accepted:
September 28,
2017
Received:
September 22,
2017
Footnotes
â?†Funding: None.
â?†Declaration of interest: None.
Identification
Copyright
© 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
