Der Anaesthesist
-
Case Reports
[Pneumothorax in vertical infraclavicular block of the brachial plexus. Review of a rare complication].
A 50 year old female patient received anaesthesia of the arm by the vertical infraclavicular blockade of the plexus brachialis (VIP). Postoperatively an ipsilateral pneumothorax occurred complicated by pleural effusion and a contralateral bronchopneumonia, which resolved completely after treatment. ⋯ Nevertheless, the VIP is an important method due to its high success rate concerning blockade of the musculocutaneous nerve and tolerance of tourniquet. The risk of a pneumothorax is about 0.2 to 0.7%.