Specific Considerations with Pulmonary Disease - Anesthetic Technique

Anesthetic Technique

Peripheral nerve blockade or local anesthesia may be the best choice of anesthetic for patients with pulmonary disease when the site of operation is peripheral, such as eye or extremity procedures. Some upper extremity blocks may compromise the function of the phrenic nerves (e.g., interscalene and supraclavicular blocks) and should be avoided in patients with severe preexisting lung disease.

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