Impact of a regional anesthesia rotation on ultrasonographic identification of anatomic structures by anesthesiology residents.
OBJECTIVE
The specific aim of this study was to determine the ability of anesthesiology residents to independently identify a series of anatomic structures in a live model using ultrasound, both before and after a 4-week regional anesthesia rotation that incorporates a standardized ultrasound training curriculum for peripheral nerve blockade.


METHODS
Ten CA2 and CA3 anesthesiology residents volunteered to participate in this study. Each resident was subjected to a pre-rotation practical exam, in which he attempted to identify 15 structures at four sites of peripheral nerve blockade, in a test subject. Each resident then received specific training for ultrasound-guided nerve blocks during a 4-week regional anesthesia rotation, and then completed a post-rotation exam. The mean number of structures correctly identified on the exams was compared for significant differences utilizing a paired t-test.


RESULTS
Residents were able to identify significantly more anatomic structures on the post-rotation exam as compared with the pre-rotation exam (mean 14.1 vs. 9.9, P<.001), as well as more peripheral nerve targets. The most frequently misidentified structures on the pre-rotation exam were the subclavian vein, the sciatic nerve in the popliteal fossa, and the femur.


CONCLUSIONS
Ultrasound-naive anesthesiology residents, who received instruction and experience with ultrasound-guided peripheral nerve blocks on a 4-week regional anesthesia rotation, significantly improved their ability to independently identify relevant anatomic structures with ultrasonography.
Orebaugh
S L
SL
Department of Anesthesiology, UPMC-Southside Anesthesia, Pittsburgh, PA 15203, USA. orebaughsl@anes.upmc.edu
Bigeleisen
P E
PE
Kentor
M L
ML
D000765:Anesthesia, Conduction / Q000379:methods*; D000776:Anesthesiology / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D014463:Ultrasonography