An uncommon cause of nerve stimulator’s malfunction during a dual guidance lumbar plexus block: A technical brief report and an algorithm for prevention of complications

Kevin Stebler (1) , Olivier Choquet (1, 2) , Nathalie Bernard (1) , Philippe Biboulet (1) , Xavier Capdevila (3, 4, 1)

1 CHRU Montpellier - Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire [Montpellier]
2 UM - Université de Montpellier
3 INSERM - Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale
4 INM - Institut des Neurosciences de Montpellier

Posterior Lumbar plexus block (PLPB) combined with an ipsilateral sacral plexus block is a valuable anaesthetic technique in patients undergoing hip fracture surgery. PLPB is performed through the acoustic window of the lumbar ultrasound trident and the position of the needle tip, before injection of LA, was confirmed by observing quadriceps femoris muscle contraction to peripheral nerve stimulation (i.e., dual guidance). We report an uncommon cause of nerve stimulator malfunction that might impair block performance and promote complications. We add an algorithm to limit the risk of complications.

Mots clés: Algorithm of procedure; Malfunction; Nerve block; Nerve stimulation

Domaines: Médecine humaine et pathologie

Kevin Stebler, Olivier Choquet, Nathalie Bernard, Philippe Biboulet, Xavier Capdevila. An uncommon cause of nerve stimulator’s malfunction during a dual guidance lumbar plexus block: A technical brief report and an algorithm for prevention of complications. Anaesthesia Critical Care & Pain Medicine, 2021, 40 (2), pp.100832. ⟨10.1016/j.accpm.2021.100832⟩. ⟨hal-03667668⟩