Descriptive Anatomy of the Infraclavicular Brachial Plexus Block Target Points in Cadavers at the College of Medicine University of Abuja

The infraclavicular approach to brachial plexus block is an increasingly preferred regional anaesthetic technique for upper limb surgeries, offering advantages over axillary and interscalene approaches in terms of catheter stability and patient comfort. Accurate knowledge of the anatomical relationships of the cords of the brachial plexus to the axillary vessels at the infraclavicular fossa is essential for safe needle placement. Cadaveric data specific to Nigerian adults are needed to validate the use of Western anatomical models in this population. This study aims to document the spatial relationships of the cords of the brachial plexus and axillary vessels at the infraclavicular level in adult cadavers at the College of Medicine University of Abuja, North Central Nigeria. Standard anterior chest dissection will be used to expose the infraclavicular fossa, and the positions of the lateral, medial, and posterior cords relative to the axillary artery will be measured. Cord diameters and distances from surface landmarks will be recorded. The study anticipates generating anatomical reference data that will guide anaesthesiologists performing infraclavicular brachial plexus blocks on adult Nigerian patients.

Keywords: brachial plexus, infraclavicular block, regional anaesthesia, cadaveric dissection, Abuja