Ultrasound-guided regional anaesthesia for upper limb surgery

Abstract

Brachial plexus blockade is a cornerstone of the peripheral nerve regional anesthesia practice of most anesthesiologists. The new inovative application of ultrasound imaging may overcome the shortcomings of current techniques and increase the efficacity and safety of locoregional anesthesia. Ultrasound guidence allows the operator to see neural structures, guide the needle under real-time visualization, navigate away from sensitive anatomy, and monitor the spread of local anesthetic. This review article focuses on approaches and techniques used for ultrasound guidance of brachial plexus blocks for upper extremity surgery.