Supraclavicular and Infraclavicular Block : Pneumothorax

Case Synopsis

A 42-year-old man complains of shortness of breath and mild right-sided chest pain in the outpatient recovery area, shortly after a right wrist fusion. A preoperative ultrasound-guided brachial plexus block was placed using the supraclavicular approach. On examination, the patient’s respiratory rate is 20 breaths per minute, and his room-air saturation is 94%. His blood pressure and heart rate are normal. A chest radiograph is positive for a small, right-sided pneumothorax.