Intercostal Nerves Block
Posted by James
INTRODUCTION
The era of regional anaesthesia dates back to 1884 when Koller discovered the anesthesia properties of cocaine. Since then, the scope of regional anesthesia has continued to widen and clinicians have succeeded in gaining access to almost every nerve in the body. Consequently, patients who for one reason or another are considered unsuitable for general anesthesia may now have their operations done under regional anesthesia. Such was the situation with the two patients discussed in this report. Since the breasts are ectodermal organs, which arose as a modification of the sweat glands, they are more or less superficial structures, which can be isolated and selectively blocked for surgical excision. Combining intercostal nerves block with infraclavicular and midline subcutaneous infiltration with local anesthetic provided effective and reliable anesthesia for simple mastectomy in the two patients.