Comparison of in-plane and out-of-plane needle insertion with vs. without needle guidance.
OBJECTIVE
First comparison of two methods of needle insertion: long axis ("in-plane") versus short axis ("out-of-plane") approach, each with and without a prototype needle guidance system (NGS).


METHODS
24 medical students without prior experience punctured an ultrasound phantom (transparent except for the decklayer) in four conditions, with the goal of achieving as many accurate punctures as possible within a fixed time.


RESULTS
Out-of-plane with NGS led to substantially more hits at first attempt than punctures without NGS (p < 0.001), as well as to a greater total number of hits (p = 0.004), and participants were faster to hit the target the first time (p = 0.009).


CONCLUSIONS
Thus, navigation increases accuracy as well as efficiency of ultrasound guided punctures on the phantom. It could prove advantageous in clinical applications for fine needle biopsies, musculoskeletal injections, vascular access, and in regional anesthesia.
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Jena University Hospital, Lessingstraße 2, 07740, Jena, Germany.
Verena Constanze
VC
Meiser
Department of General Psychology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Am Steiger 3/Haus 1, 07743, Jena, Germany.
Helene
H
Kreysa
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Jena University Hospital, Lessingstraße 2, 07740, Jena, Germany.
Orlando
O
Guntinas-Lichius
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Jena University Hospital, Lessingstraße 2, 07740, Jena, Germany. fabian.volk@med.uni-jena.de.
Gerd Fabian
GF
Volk
D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D009339:Needles; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D011677:Punctures / Q000379:methods*; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional
Comparison of short and long axis; Fine needle biopsy; In-plane; Needle guidance; Out-of-plane; Ultrasound