title: Standard approaches for upper extremity nerve blocks with an emphasis on outpatient surgery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Currently, no standards exist with regard to the techniques and administration of ultrasound-guided peripheral nerve blocks. Consequently, the techniques and teaching substantially vary among practitioners and institutions. The purpose of this review is to propose a set of standard US-guided techniques for upper extremity nerve blocks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  On the basis of the synthesis of information in available literature and the consensus of an internationally recognized collaborative panel of regional anaesthesia experts, the review recommends a standardized approach to common upper extremity nerve blocks using ultrasound guidance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A set of structured recommendations and approaches are suggested to help standardize clinical practice and teaching of ultrasound-guided upper extremity nerve blocks. Additional emphasis is placed on the discussion of nerve blocks in outpatient surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesia, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
authors.forename: Kwesi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kwofie
authors.forename: Uma
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Shastri
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vandepitte
mesh_terms: D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures; D001917:Brachial Plexus; D006801:Humans; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000379:methods*; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000294:innervation / Q000601:surgery*