Tension pneumothorax: a pulmonary complication secondary to regional anesthesia from brachial plexus interscalene nerve block.

Interscalene brachial plexus anesthesia is often used for surgeries involving the shoulder and upper arm. This method of regional anesthesia decreases pain, nausea, and vomiting associated with general anesthesia. One infrequent complication of interscalene brachial plexus block is tension pneumothorax. Recognition of early signs and symptoms of tension pneumothorax and expeditious treatment for rapid decompression before physiologic decompensation is mandatory. This article discusses the interscalene brachial plexus block procedure leading to the pathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of tension pneumothorax. Copyright 2002 by American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses.