Axillary Nerve

by | Aug 11, 2021

Indications

  • Lacerations or abscesses of deltoid

Contraindications

  • Infection overlying injection site
  • Allergy to local anesthetic

Equipment

  • 5-10cc of local anesthetic of choice
  • Syringe
  • Saline Flush
  • Cleansing solution
  • Ultrasound with linear transducer
  • Ultrasound transducer sterile cover

Prepration

Position

Place the patient prone.

Ultrasound

Landmarks

  1. Place the transducer in-line with the long axis of the humerus
  2. Nerve located approximately 4cm inferior to the posterior aspect of the acromion in the quadrangular space
  3. Look for teres minor medially and deep to deltoid muscle.
  4. Laterally, the axillary nerve runs adjacent to the posterior humeral circumflex artery

Technique

  1. In-plane needle visualization
  2. Advance the needle towards the plane deep to the deltoid muscle
  3. Target the neurovascular area adjacent to the posterior circumflex artery
  4. Inject 1-2mL of local anesthetic to confirm placement
  5. Inject remaining local anesthetic

Source

  1. Highland Ultrasound