title: Evidence-based medicine: ultrasound guidance for truncal blocks.
abstract: We performed a systematic search of the medical literature and reviewed the evidence examining success rates and incidence of complications of ultrasound (US) guidance relative to traditional techniques for the following blocks: paravertebral, intercostal, transversus abdominis plane, rectus sheath, and ilioinguinal/iliohypogastric. We included studies of sufficient methodologic quality for review and excluded poor-quality studies. We then rated the strength of evidence for US guidance for each block using a system developed by the United States Agency for Health Care Policy and Research. Although relatively few studies have compared US guidance with established techniques, the available evidence suggests that the use of US guidance is a safe and effective means to facilitate correct needle placement and adequate spread of local anesthetic for truncal blocks. Further studies are needed to directly compare US guidance to traditional techniques and to clarify potential benefits and limitations of US guidance for truncal blocks.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, 97239-3098, USA. abrahama@ohsu.edu
authors.forename: Matthew S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Abrahams
authors.forename: Jean-Louis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Horn
authors.forename: L Michele
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Noles
authors.forename: Michael F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Aziz
mesh_terms: D034861:Abdominal Wall / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000294:innervation; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006287:Health Planning Guidelines; D006801:Humans; D007367:Intercostal Nerves / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional