Feasibility Of Dorsal Scapular Nerve Block With Ultrasound Guidance

Objective To evaluate the feasibility of blocking dorsal scapular nerve(DSN)on the surface of posterior tubercle of the fifth cervical vertebra(PTFCV)under ultrasound guidance.Methods The PTFCVs of 20 subjects who have experienced unilateral interscaular pain were assessed by ultrasound.Their DSNs were assessed as the same.Measure the vertical distance between PTFCV and the skin.Blocked DSN on the surface of PTFCV.Procedure duration,intraoperative and postoperative complication were also taken into consideration.The effect was evaluated by pain relief portion.Results The PTFCVs of all the subjects were clearly visible and mean distance from the skin surface to PTFCV vertically was 1.09±0.22 cm.The DSNs of 8 subjects(8/20,40.00%)could be seen with ultrasound guidance.The DSNs of 20 subjects(20/20,100%)were blocked successfully under ultrasound guidance.Mean procedure duration was(9.05±0.41)minutes.Mean pain relief portion was(70.92±17.15)%.No obvious intraoperative and postoperative complication occurred to any subject.Conclusion Blockade DSN on the surface of PTFCV is proved feasible because it is timesaving and practicable,meanwhile,safe and effective.