Should anaesthetists use ultrasound to guide needle insertion in nerve blockade?
The simple answer is yes , on the basis of the results of the studies mentioned and, to a certain degree, on common sense. It can be argued that it is better to use the best equipment available to actually identify structures rather than to infer their position from surface anatomy and older nerve location methods. However, the complicated answer is it depends . It depends on what type of nerve block is planned, on what the complications are and on the individual s personal experience. Thus it may be of use in certain blocks for which the complication rate is high or the complications are more serious, such as brachial plexus blocks. It might be considered particularly appropriate when performing nerve blocks in anaesthetized patients, such as children. It could also be of use in other blocks, such as the 3-in-1 block, for which it has been demonstrated that the success rate is higher using ultrasound and that the dose of local anaesthetic required is lower. Teaching and training is an
