Regional - Interscalene block - Complications
Complications of interscalene block
Blockade of neighbouring nerves:
- Phrenic nerve block (100%)
- Hemidiaphragm paresis
- Recurrent laryngeal (10 to 20%)
- Especially on the right side
- Hoarse voice
- May interfere with cough reflex
- Superior laryngeal (40 to 60%)
- Cervical ganglion (sympathetic) (10 to 25%, or 70% per ESRA)
- i.e. Horner's syndrome
Others:
- Spinal / epidural injection
- Total spinal is rare
- Pneumothorax
- Vertebral artery injection
- Bezold-Jarisch reflex
- Hypotension and bradycardia
- Nerve injury
- Infection
- Hematoma
- LA toxicity