Ultrasound-Guided Neuraxial Anesthesia

Abstract

Purpose of review: There has been a recent surge of interest in clinical applications of ultrasound, which has revolutionized acute pain management. This review is to summarize the current status of ultrasound utilization in neuraxial anesthesia, the most common type of regional anesthesia.

Recent findings: Ultrasound-assisted and ultrasound-guided neuraxial anesthesia has improved clinical accuracy and patient safety through landmark identification including proper vertebral level and midline, as well as via measurements on neuraxial space. Direct needle or catheter visualization during the entire procedure has not yet been achieved consistently. The recent introduction of ultrasound into neural anesthesia has clinical performance benefits and patient safety implications, with documented improvement on overall efficacy with higher first attempt success rate as well as less needle pass. More controlled studies are needed for the overall impact of ultrasonography in neuraxial anesthesia in obstetric and non-obstetric patients.

Keywords: Neuraxial anesthesia; Obstetric neuraxial blockade; Ultrasound.