Cervical plexus block in adolescents

In adults, peripheral nerve block provides an effective alternative to gene ral anesthesia. In pediatric anesthesia practice, several factors may limit the use of such techniques. I present two adolescents in whom anatomical a lterations precluded routine airway management. Cervical plexus block was u sed to provide surgical anesthesia for superficial/deep lymph node biopsy a nd excision of a thyroid nodule. The technique for cervical plexus block an d its possible application in the practice of pediatric anesthesia are revi ewed. (C) 1999 by Elsevier Science Inc.