Intravenous regional anaesthesia was first described in 1908 by the versatile German surgeon, August Bier. The technique is still widely known as the ‘Bier's Block’ and, if carried out by appropriately trained practitioners, is a useful regional anaesthetic technique for short surgical procedures on the forearm, lower leg or foot.
Matthew R Checketts FRCA is a Consultant Anaesthetist at Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, United Kingdom. Conflicts of interest: none declared
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