title: Evidence-based medicine for ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia.
abstract: Available evidence favoring the use of ultrasound for regional anesthesia is reviewed, updated, and critically assessed. Important outcome advantages include decreased time to block onset; decreased risk of local anesthetic systemic toxicity; and, depending on the outcome definition, increased block success rates. Ultrasound guidance, peripheral nerve blocks, and central neuraxial blocks are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Virginia Mason Medical Center, 1100 9th Avenue, Mailstop B2-AN, Seattle, WA 98101, USA. Electronic address: Francis.salinas@vmmc.org.
authors.forename: Francis V
authors.initials: FV
authors.lastname: Salinas
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Virginia Mason Medical Center, 1100 9th Avenue, Mailstop B2-AN, Seattle, WA 98101, USA.
authors.forename: Neil A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Hanson
mesh_terms: D000765:Anesthesia, Conduction / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Central neuraxial blocks; Complications; Local anesthetic systemic toxicity; Peripheral nerve blocks; Peripheral nerve injury; Ultrasound guidance