title: The use of ultrasound in France: a point of view from experienced regional anesthesiologists.
abstract: A cross-sectional survey study on French practice in ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia was carried out. A questionnaire (demographic data, assessment of the likely benefits of ultrasonography, and its use in daily practice: blocks and hygiene) was emailed to all members of the French-speaking association of anesthesiologists involved in regional anesthesia. The questionnaire was filled out and returned by 634 experienced anesthesiologists. An ultrasound machine was available in 94% of cases. Ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia has become the gold standard technique for three-quarters of responders. Axillary, interscalene, popliteal sciatic and femoral nerve blocks were performed by more than 90% of responders, most frequently under ultrasound supervision. Conversely, ultrasound guidance was rarely used for spinal or deep nerve blocks. A specific sterile sheath was used in only 43% of cases. The present study confirms that ultrasound guidance has gained in popularity for many superficial, but not deep, regional anesthesia procedures in France.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fuzier
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lammens
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Becuwe
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bataille
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Sleth
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jochum
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Boselli
mesh_terms: D000765:Anesthesia, Conduction / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000776:Anesthesiology / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005602:France; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data