CEACCP: Nerve Blocks of the Anterior Abdominal Wall (Read) for Nurses

Permission has been granted by Elsevier on behalf of the British Journal of Anaesthesia to link directly to articles and MCQs from BJA Education on e-Learning Anaesthesia. 

Key points

• Simple peripheral blocks, used in the correct situation, can provide analgesia for a variety of surgical indications and have minimal haemodynamic effects.
• The key to understanding nerve blocks of the abdominal wall is an understanding of the anatomy.
• These blocks only provide analgesia to the abdominal wall and not the abdominal viscera.
• Regional anaesthesia of the abdominal wall has the ability to control pain effectively and allow earlier mobilization.
• Ultrasound guidance can assist in localization of tissue planes and aid successful nerve block.