Correct nomenclature of superficial cervical plexus blocks

R. J. Telford1, M. D. Stoneham2 and J. J. Pandit2

1 Exeter, UK 2 Oxford, UK

Editor—We read with interest the anatomical study by Pandit and colleagues1 looking at the spread of injectate with superficial cervical plexus block in human cadavers.

We feel that the term ‘superficial cervical plexus block’ as used to describe the site of injection in this cadaveric study is misleading as the paper clearly states that in four cadavers the injections of dye were made ‘just below the investing fascia’. This is not a ‘superficial cervical plexus block’. The classical technique of superficial cervical plexus block was described by Murphy,2 and Scott.3 Both these texts describe subcutaneous (superficial) injection of local anaesthetic. Not surprisingly, in the only cadaver in which the dye was injected subcutaneously in Pandit’s study, none spread to the deeper tissues of the neck.

The technique as described by Pandit and colleagues1 might more correctly be termed an ‘intermediate’ cervical plexus block. This could be viewed as a third method of anaesthetizing the nerves of the cervical plexus, in addition to classical superficial and deep cervical plexus blocks.

It is important to emphasize that classical superficial plexus block as described by Murphy2 and Scott3 is clinically effective for carotid endarterectomy. The main theoretical drawback of the use of superficial cervical plexus blocks alone is the lack of neuromuscular block of the neck. In practice, this does not seem to be a problem.4

We agree with the authors that a randomized controlled trial comparing ‘superficial’ and ‘intermediate’ cervical plexus blocks as the sole method for providing local anaesthesia for carotid endarterectomy is essential. As the majority of complications of cervical plexus block (intravascular injection, intrathecal injection and impaired diaphragmatic function) are associated with the deep block when local anaesthetic is placed around the roots of the cervical plexus, the ‘intermediate’ cervical plexus block could be a real step forward in the management of these difficult patients.

R. J. Telford1

M. D. Stoneham2

1Exeter, UK

2Oxford, UK

Editor—We thank Drs Telford and Stoneham for their interest in our paper.1 Existing literature indicates that there have been various methods described of the proper injection technique in superficial cervical plexus block. Murphy2, Scott3, Prys-Roberts,5 and Katz6 have all described the superficial injection as being simply ‘subcutaneous’. However, Chaikof and colleagues have suggested it should be ‘intradermal’ (i.e. even more superficial).7 In contrast, Yerzingatsian advised that the injection should properly be made into the body of the sternomastoid muscle, so that the solution is deposited below the investing fascia.8 It would perhaps take a medical historian to establish the proper chronology of these various suggestions for cervical plexus block to confirm which of them is the original or ‘classical’ method.

The suggestion of Telford and Stoneham regarding nomenclature is therefore most welcome. The subcutaneous injection might indeed be termed ‘superficial’ (or simply ‘subcutaneous’), and the subinvesting fascia injection might be termed ‘intermediate’. As all complications associated with cervical plexus block arise from use of the deep injection,9 we are pleased that they agree with our suggestion that it is important for the (two safer) subcutaneous and intermediate injections to be compared directly in a randomized study.

J. J. Pandit

Oxford, UK

References

1 Pandit JJ, Dutta D, Morris JF. Spread of injectate with superficial cervical plexus block in humans: an anatomical study. Br J Anaesth 2003; 91: 733–5[Abstract/Free Full Text]

2 Murphy TM. Somatic blockade of head and neck. In: Cousins MJ, Bridenbaugh PO, eds. Neural Blockade in Clinical Anaesthesia and Management of Pain. Philadelphia: Lippincott Company, 1988; 533–58

3 Scott DB. Cervical plexus block. In: Scott DB. Techniques of Regional Anaesthesia. Norwalk: Appleton & Lange, 1989; 74–7

4 Stoneham MD, Doyle AR, Knighton JD, Dorje P, Stanley JC. Prospective randomized comparison of deep or superficial cervical plexus block for carotid endarterectomy surgery. Anesthesiology; 89: 907–12

5 Prys-Roberts C, Brown BR, Nunn JF. International Practice of Anaesthesia. London: Butterworths, 1996; Section 5: 2/141/4

6 Katz J. Atlas of Regional Anaesthesia. Norwalk: Appleton & Lange, 1994: 42

7 Chaikof EL, Dodson TF, Thomas BL, Smith RB. Four steps to local anesthesia for endarterectomy of the carotid artery. Surg Gynecol Obstet 1993; 177: 308–10[ISI][Medline]

8 Yerzingatsian KL. Thyroidectomy under local analgesia: the anatomical basis of cervical blocks. Ann Roy Coll Surg Engl 1989; 71: 207–10[ISI][Medline]

9 Pandit JJ, Satya-Krishna R, McQuay H. A comparison of the complication rate associated with superficial versus deep (or combined) block for carotid endarterectomy. Anesth Analg 2003; 96: S279





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