Highest incidence of pneumothorax occurs when branchial plexus is blocked by which route
Pneumothorax is a known complication of regional anesthesia, especially when needles are placed near the pleura. The brachial plexus is located in the neck and upper chest, so the proximity to the lung apex is a concern. The supraclavicular approach involves inserting the needle just above the clavicle, which is close to the first rib and the lung apex. This makes it more likely to puncture the pleura, leading to a pneumothorax. The incidence here is higher compared to other approaches.
The infraclavicular approach is done below the clavicle, closer to the axilla, and the axillary approach is in the axilla itself. Both of these are further away from the pleura, so the risk of pneumothorax is lower. The axillary approach is even safer because the plexus is surrounded by muscles here, reducing the chance of hitting the lung.
Now, looking at the options, the correct answer should be the supraclavicular approach. The other options (infraclavicular and axillary) are incorrect because they have lower risks. The key point here is the anatomical location relative to the pleura. The clinical pearl would be to remember that the higher the incidence of pneumothorax, the more important it is to use imaging guidance or check for air entry post-block in high-risk approaches.
**Core Concept**
Pneumothorax risk in brachial plexus blocks correlates with proximity to the pleural cavity. The **supraclavicular** approach traverses the **first rib** and apex of the lung, making it the highest risk for accidental pleural puncture.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The **supraclavicular** approach involves needle insertion above the clavicle, just lateral to the sternocleidomastoid muscle. This path passes through the **subclavian artery** and **brachial plexus** but is anatomically close to the **pleura** (lung apex). Pneumothorax incidence here is **1–3%**, significantly higher than other approaches due to direct contact with the lung apex and first rib.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** *Infraclavicular* blocks are safer as the needle avoids the pleura entirely, passing below the clavicle.
**Option C:** *Axillary* blocks target the plexus in the axilla, surrounded by muscle (e.g., coracobrachialis), reducing pleural proximity.
**Option D:** *Interscalene* blocks, while associated with phrenic nerve injury, are not the highest pneumothorax risk due to their more lateral path.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
Supraclavicular blocks have the **highest pneumothorax risk** (1–3%) among brachial plexus techniques. Always auscultate lungs post-block