Patients frequently present to the emergency department with various external ear complaints. These complaints may include embedded foreign bodies, traumatic injuries, such as lacerations and avulsions, or auricular collections that require drainage, such as hematomas and abscesses. Oral and parenteral medications rarely provide adequate pain relief during the procedures required to remedy these clinical scenarios. Procedural sedation has a sizeable risk burden, particularly for pediatric patients. Injections directly into the external ear are painful and have a high risk of provider needlestick.Alternatively, a peripheral nerve block is typically a well-tolerated method to achieve analgesia for a procedure on the external ear. The innervation of the external ear is complex and involves multiple nerves originating from cranial nerves and the cervical plexus. A comprehensive understanding of the innervation of each section of the external ear facilitates selecting the appropriate nerve block method and is critical to the success of this procedure. This activity for healthcare professionals reviews the indications and contraindications of an external ear peripheral nerve block, the procedural steps to perform with and without ultrasonographic guidance, and the common complications following the procedure. The activity also highlights the role of the interprofessional team in improving outcomes for patients undergoing this peripheral nerve block.
- Provider:StatPearls, LLC
- Activity Link: https://www.statpearls.com/ArticleLibrary/viewarticle/37514
- Start Date: 2023-09-01 05:00:00
- End Date: 2023-09-01 05:00:00
- Credit Details: AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™️: 1.0 hours
Nursing: 1.0 hours
Pharmacy: 1.0 hours - MOC Credit Details: ABS - 1.0 Point; Credit Type(s): Accredited CME (ABS)
ABPATH - 1.0 Point; Credit Type(s): Lifelong Learning (ABPATH)
ABA - 1.0 Point; Credit Type(s): Lifelong Learning (ABA)
ABIM - 1.0 Point; Credit Type(s): Medical Knowledge (ABIM)
ABS - 1.0 Point; Credit Type(s): Self-Assessment (ABS)
ABP - 1.0 Point; Credit Type(s): Lifelong Learning and Self-Assessment (ABP)
ABOHNS - 1.0 Point; Credit Type(s): Self-Assessment (ABOHNS) - Commercial Support: No
- Activity Type: Enduring Material
- CME Finder Type: Online Learning
- Fee to Participate: Variable
- Measured Outcome: Learner Knowledge, Learner/Team Competence
- Provider Ship: Directly Provided
- Registration: Open to all
- Specialty: All Practice Areas (e.g. ethics), Ambulatory/Outpatient, General Otolaryngology, General Pediatrics, General Surgery, Hospital Medicine, Internal Medicine, Otology, Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Regional Anesthesia/Acute Pain, Sleep Medicine