Ultrasound and nerve stimulator guided peripheral nerve blocks of the upper and lower limbs

Abstract

Peripheral nerve blocks have been part of anaesthetic techniques used for upper and lower extremity surgery for decades. The introduction of the nerve stimulator and the ultrasound guidance, during last decade, made a marked change in everyday practice. Ultrasound guided nerve blocks are now becoming the standard practice in regional anaesthesia as more effective technique requires less volume of local anaesthetic and reduces the incidence of complications. Ultrasound guidance enables better assessment of local anaesthetic placement and dosage required, rendering it the safest and most reliable technique in regional anesthesia at present.

Keywords

• peripheral nerve block
• ultrasound
• nerve stimulator
• upper extremity
• lower extremity