Evidence Based Review of Ultrasound Guided Regional Anesthesia 2010

Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine:
March/April 2010 - Volume 35 - Issue 2 - pp S1-S9
doi: 10.1097/AAP.0b013e3181d22fe0

The ASRA Evidence-Based Medicine Assessment of Ultrasound-Guided Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine: Executive Summary

Neal, Joseph M. MD; Brull, Richard MD; Chan, Vincent W. S. MD; Grant, Stuart A. MBChB; Horn, Jean-Louis MD; Liu, Spencer S. MD; McCartney, Colin J.L. MBChB; Narouze, Samer N. MD, MSc; Perlas, Anahi MD; Salinas, Francis V. MD; Sites, Brian D. MD; Tsui, Ban Chi-ho MD

We are approaching 2 decades since the first descriptions of using ultrasound as a tool for nerve localization, which were first published in this1,2 and other journals.3,4 The first de- cade of ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia (UGRA) largely established its feasibility and described approaches to common peripheral nerve blocks (PNBs). As ultrasound technology im- proved, investigators began to experiment with deeper blocks and perineural catheter placement, and anesthesiologists started to appreciate the advantages and limitations of this new localiza- tion tool. Perhaps most important in this evolution is the begin- ning of efforts to critically compare UGRA to other forms of nerve localizationVthe building of an evidence base for po- tentially improving effectiveness and enhancing patient safety. From these foundations comes a body of literature that enables practitioners to assess the role for UGRA in their practice. Al- though the rapidity of these formative stages is encouraging, the effort to scientifically assess what is arguably one of the most exciting periods in the history of regional anesthesia is in its adolescence. Read more...