Peripheral Nerve Blocks (Neck)

Abstract

To facilitate awake endotracheal intubation, a blockade of the glossopharyngeal, superior laryngeal, and recurrent laryngeal nerves can be utilized. The peripheral blockade of nerves in the neck is most often used to facilitate awake endotracheal intubation for the patient with a difficult airway. Although topicalization with minimal-to-moderate sedation is often sufficient to perform an awake intubation, one should be knowledgeable of all the alternative methods should the need arise. This chapter focuses on the indications, relevant anatomy, and complications of these blocks. Also described is blockade of the cervical plexus, which is useful in facilitating surgery on more superficial neck structures.