Trial on the Effects of Ultrasound Probe Position on Ultrasound-guided Nerve Blocks

In-plane Ultrasound-guided Regional Anesthesia Performance

In-plane, Ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia performance, Probe position, Needle visualization

Ultrasound has been used to guide a needle to inject local anesthetics around nerves. This is usually done in the same plane as the ultrasound beam in America and is known as an in-plane technique. When done correctly, the entire needle is visualized on the ultrasound screen as it approaches the nerves which are also seen on the same screen the entire time. The ultrasound probe can be held perpendicular or parallel to the shoulders of the person performing the in-plane technique. Our hypothesis is that holding the ultrasound probe perpendicular to the shoulder is superior to holding the probe parallel to the shoulder during an in-plane ultrasound guided regional anesthesia technique.

Right handed volunteers with no prior exposure to ultrasound techniques are used in this study. They will be randomly assigned to be shown an instructional video on how to perform an in-plane ultrasound guided needling technique on a realistic simulation target. The two videos are identical with the exception of the probe position. A blinded assessor will time the volunteers performance behind a screen and note the duration in which the needle is not visualized in the ultrasound screen.

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