Ultrasound guidance, a win-win approach to peripheral nerve blockade

Curr Opin Anaesthesiol. 2013 Oct;26(5):600-4. doi: 10.1097/01.aco.0000432518.78468.56.

Abstract

Purpose of review: The objective of the current review is to examine the likelihood of improved safety in peripheral nerve blockade attributable to ultrasound guidance.

Recent findings: With ultrasound guidance, a 10-fold reduction in the incidence of local anesthetic systemic toxicity as well as a tendency toward less long-term neuropathies are shown.

Summary: Ultrasound is clearly superior to other techniques with the aim of achieving maximum efficacy with minimum risk: a win-win approach.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anesthetics, Local / adverse effects
  • Electric Stimulation
  • Humans
  • Nerve Block / adverse effects
  • Nerve Block / methods*
  • Nervous System Diseases / etiology
  • Peripheral Nerves / drug effects
  • Ultrasonography, Interventional / methods*

Substances

  • Anesthetics, Local