Prospective evaluation of the safety of ultrasound-guided cervical medial branch blocks using the in-plane technique
Authors' conclusion
When performed using an in-plane technique by experienced operators, USG CMBB was found to be safe, with rare minor immediate complications and no further adverse event reported in the following 2 weeks.
Study context
- Population
- Patients undergoing cervical medial branch blocks in an outpatient office setting2,308 block levels
- Participants
- 500 patients
- Outcome
- Immediate block-related complications and delayed occurrences
- Follow-up
- 2 weeks
Methodological detailsoutpatient office setting, in-plane technique
- Outpatient office setting
- In-plane technique
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Block-related complications, immediate and delayed (within 2 weeks)
Minor immediate complications: 3 (2 subcutaneous hematomas, 1 vasovagal reaction), % of blocks
0.13%
95% two-sided CI 0.03% to 0.38%
Delayed events
0
97.5% one-sided CI 0% to 0.16%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Blood vessels detected and avoided, % of blocks
- Blood vessels detected and avoided
- 8.2%
Safety
Vascular breach, % of blocks
- Vascular breach
- 0.52% (95% two-sided CI 0.27% to 0.91%)
Original publication
Prospective evaluation of the safety of ultrasound-guided cervical medial branch blocks using the in-plane technique. Reg Anesth Pain Med. Published 19 March 2024. doi:10.
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