title: Preliminary study of ergonomic behavior during simulated ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia using a head-mounted display.
abstract: A head-mounted display provides continuous real-time imaging within the practitioner's visual field. We evaluated the feasibility of using head-mounted display technology to improve ergonomics in ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia in a simulated environment. Two anesthesiologists performed an equal number of ultrasound-guided popliteal-sciatic nerve blocks using the head-mounted display on a porcine hindquarter, and an independent observer assessed each practitioner's ergonomics (eg, head turning, arching, eye movements, and needle manipulation) and the overall block quality based on the injectate spread around the target nerve for each procedure. Both practitioners performed their procedures without directly viewing the ultrasound monitor, and neither practitioner showed poor ergonomic behavior. Head-mounted display technology may offer potential advantages during ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia.
authors: Department of Anesthesia, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California 94304, USA.
authors: Ankeet D
authors: AD
authors: Udani
authors: T Kyle
authors: TK
authors: Harrison
authors: Steven K
authors: SK
authors: Howard
authors: T Edward
authors: TE
authors: Kim
authors: John G
authors: JG
authors: Brock-Utne
authors: David M
authors: DM
authors: Gaba
authors: Edward R
authors: ER
authors: Mariano
mesh_terms: D000765:Anesthesia, Conduction / Q000379:methods*; D000818:Animals; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003626:Data Display; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate; D004867:Equipment Design; D006804:Ergonomics; D019416:Head Movements; D006801:Humans; D009048:Motor Skills; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000379:methods*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011930:Reaction Time; D012584:Sciatic Nerve; D013552:Swine; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional / Q000379:methods*; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014796:Visual Perception