A virtual clinical anatomy review of brachial plexus blocks

DEMONSTRATION

 

Using PowerPoint to Create a Virtual Clinical Anatomy Review of Brachial Plexus Blockade.

 

Peter H. Abrahams, Matthys Van Wyk, Johannes M Boon, and M J

Herrick, Cambridge, England and Pretoria, South Africa

 

ABSTRACT

 

Brachial plexus blockade is an ideal anaesthetic technique used for manipulation and surgery to the upper extremity as well as for postoperative pain management. The safe and successful performance of these blocks relies on a specific anatomical knowledge. Winnie (1975) aptly described regional anaesthesia as being nothing more than applied anatomy. It is therefore essential for clinical anatomists to contribute to the safe and successful performance of brachial plexus blockades.

 

  The aim of this study was to determine the anatomical pitfalls and complications relevant to the performance of various brachial plexus block techniques including the interscalene, supraclavicular, infraclavicular and axillary approaches. This database was then interactively packaged on a PowerPoint® platform.  

 

  A reference library was developed by an extensive literature search of all the selected blocks under the following headings: indications, contraindications, and materials used, step-by-step approach to the procedure, anatomical pitfalls and anatomically relevant complications. This information then formed the knowledge base to create a step-by-step interactive computer program simulating the approaches; including links to “state of the art - animated prosections” illustrating all the anatomical pitfalls and complications. This multimedia package developed in PowerPoint® uses the possible features of a simple platform to the limit. This is one of many practical medical procedures, including Lumbar puncture and Central venous catheterisation that will be illustrated- some having been converted into Shockwave as the PowerPoint platform proved too unstable.

 

Peter H. Abrahams 2 

Girton College,

Wolfson Court, Clarkson Rd.

CAMBRIDGE CB3 OEH

00 44 1223 339331 -answerphone

Girton: 01223 339331

mailto:pha1000@cus.cam.ac.uk

 

Matthys Van Wyk1*, Johannes M Boon 1 mailto:jboon@medic.up.ac.za, and M J Herrick3,

1Section of Clinical Anatomy, Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa,

2 Kigezi International School of Medicine, Cambridge, St. Georges University, Grenada and St. Vincent, West Indies, Girton College, Cambridge, United Kingdom.

3 Department of Anaesthesiology, Addenbrooke's hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom.