November 29, 2025
Background: Interscalene and supraclavicular brachial plexus nerve blocks are routinely used for upper extremity surgeries, although they carry the risk of phrenic nerve involvement, which can lead to diaphragmatic paralysis. The costoclavicular block is a newer regional anesthesia technique that may reduce this risk while providing comparable anesthetic coverage.
Case Presentation: A patient with a displaced distal radius fracture received a preoperative single-shot costoclavicular nerve block before undergoing open reduction and internal fixation of the distal radius.
Results: The patient did not require opioids or other pain medications during surgery or in the post-anesthesia care unit after surgery.
Conclusions: This case supports the use of the costoclavicular nerve block as an effective regional anesthesia technique for upper extremity surgeries, providing satisfactory perioperative analgesia while potentially reducing the risk of phrenic nerve-related complications.
Keywords: costoclavicular nerve block; distal radius fracture; pain management; regional anesthesia; upper extremity surgery.
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