The upper extremity regional anaesthesia trifecta: three upper extremity nerve blocks for awake upper-limb surgery in a patient with a history of contralateral pneumonectomy

While regional anaesthesia plays a pivotal role in the perioperative management of patients undergoing upper extremity surgery, its utility can be limited by the risk of hemi-diaphragmatic paresis. Furthermore, each approach to blocking the brachial plexus has associated limitations that may result in incomplete upper extremity anaesthesia. We describe the combination of three upper extremity nerve blocks to achieve surgical anaesthesia of the whole arm for a patient who had previously undergone a contralateral pneumonectomy. On this occasion, she required upper arm lipectomy and arteriovenous fistula formation. Adequate blockade was achieved with no significant perioperative complications. This case demonstrates the potential of this approach for patients with respiratory compromise undergoing upper limb procedures.