Ultrasound-guided axillary nerve block: A sub-coracoid process approach

• Combination blocks of the AN and the SSN are an alternative to interscalene blockade for shoulder surgery. • The articular branches of the AN could not be blocked at the site of the quadrilateral foramen. • In the area of sub-coracoid process, the proximal portion of the AN courses among the conjoint tendon, the subscapularis muscle, and the axillary artery. • A small volume of anesthetics is required for complete AN block with this subcoracoid process approach. • In addition to having no influence on respiration, this method has less influence than proximal brachial nerve plexus block on upper limb motor function.