A practical guide to commonly performed ultrasound-guided peripheral-nerve blocks.
OBJECTIVE
Regional anesthesia has experienced a tremendous renaissance of interest over the past several years. Much of this renewed enthusiasm among clinicians is due to the increased usage of ultrasound guidance for peripheral-nerve blocks. This review serves as a useful foundation for the most commonly employed ultrasound-guided blocks utilized by the clinician.


RESULTS
With recent advances in both sonographic capability and access for anesthesia providers, many peripheral-nerve blocks have become quite amenable to being placed with ultrasound guidance. In addition, the subspecialty of ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia is being further pioneered via both anatomical and pharmacological studies.


CONCLUSIONS
With ultrasound guidance, the regional anesthesiologist has yet another tool to enhance both the accuracy and success of peripheral-nerve blockade. This article serves to display the most clinically relevant nerve blocks utilized in the perioperative setting. It is meant to be used as a clinical starting point for the development of regional anesthesia skills.
Fingerman
Mitchell
M
Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University Health System, Durham, NC 27710, USA. mitchell.fingerman@duke.edu
Benonis
James G
JG
Martin
Gavin
G
D000776:Anesthesiology / Q000193:education*; D001917:Brachial Plexus / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005267:Femoral Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional