title: [Technical advantages of ultrasound-guided obturator nerve block compared with the nerve stimulating technique].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We investigated the onset time of obturator nerve block and time required for the nerve block comparing two groups in a prospective randomized study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Obturator nerve block was performed in 37 cases by either nerve stimulation guide (NS group) or nerve stimulation and ultrasound guide (US group) with 10 ml of 1.5% lidocaine adding 1:200000 epinephrine.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no significant difference between the onset time in the NS group (6.1 min) and that in the US group (5.7 min). The time required for the nerve block (4.2 min vs 1.7 min) was significantly shorter, and the frequency of needle advancement for the optimal position (4.7 vs 1.7) was significantly smaller in the US group than in the NS group (P<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ultrasound imaging facilitated the identification of obturator nerves between adductor muscles. Ultrasound-guided obturator nerve block is a safe, quick and useful technique.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo 060-8543.
authors.forename: Shinobu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Seki
authors.forename: Masanori
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yamauchi
authors.forename: Maiko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kawamura
authors.forename: Akiyoshi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Namiki
authors.forename: Yutaka
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sato
authors.forename: Yoshihiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Fujiwara
mesh_terms: D000768:Anesthesia, General; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D009776:Obturator Nerve; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D004561:Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000295:instrumentation*