Summary
This review discusses the evolution of anatomical sonography technology and its routine use in the Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine at the Medical University of Vienna, particularly for regional anesthetic nerve blocks.
Recent studies emphasize the benefits of direct visualization of local anesthetic distribution using high-frequency probes, enhancing the quality and safety of nerve blocks and neuraxial techniques. Ultrasound guidance allows accurate needle positioning and real-time monitoring of local anesthetic distribution, providing advantages over conventional techniques like nerve stimulation and loss-of-resistance procedures.
The review suggests that ultrasound-guided anesthetic techniques, given their potential, should play a role in the future training of anesthetists for both adults and children.
