LAUSR

The interscalene block (ISB) is seldom performed in neonates. We suggest that with congruous indications, favourable risk-benefit ratio and fitting expertise, any regional block that can be performed in grown-up children can be performed in neonates and premature babies as they are more sensitive to the depressant effects of anaesthetic drugs.[1] With this premise, the dense analgesia offered by regional anaesthesia (RA) without affecting the physiological milieu is beneficial. This letter aims to highlight the utility of ultrasound-guided interscalene brachial plexus block in a premature neonate thus avoiding opioids, muscle relaxants and airway instrumentation. Secondly, with sepsis being a relative contraindication for RA, it can still be judiciously implemented provided the risk-benefit ratio is favourable. We report a case of a 25-day-old baby boy, weighing 2.1 kg with the gestational age of 36 weeks and posted for left septic shoulder debridement.