make those cases
faster.
The adductor
canal block
(osmag.net/nJC4Tc)
is an example of
a nerve block
where ultrasound
has been instru-
mental in achiev-
ing optimal suc-
cess. Plenty of
evidence has emerged in the past 2 years that shows adductor canal
blocks control pain after major knee surgery as effectively as
femoral nerve blocks, so there's a clear clinical motive to perform
them. Without ultrasound, it's a challenging block to place since
there is typically no motor response elicited even when the stimulat-
ing needle is in the correct location. With ultrasound, however, it's
an easy block to perform.
Adding image guidance to a regional program requires patience. The
initial learning curve is steep, but you're essentially taking one step
backward with the long-term goal of taking several steps forward.
Over time and with the right anesthesia providers operating the
probes, there's no doubt the technology makes a regional program
more efficient. OSM
6 9
N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 5 | O U T P A T I E N TS U R G E R Y. N E T
Dr. Winchester (brandon@blockjocks.com) is the regional anesthesia fellowship director
at the Andrews Institute for Orthopedics & Sports Medicine in Gulf Breeze, Fla.,
and co-founder of the regional anesthesia education website www.blockjocks.com.
z VISUAL AID Providers who use ultrasound
guidance can place tough blocks faster and easier.