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Impact of a regional anesthesia rotation on ultrasonographic identification of anatomic structures by anesthesiology residents
Author(s) -
OREBAUGH S. L.,
BIGELEISEN P. E.,
KENTOR M. L.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
acta anaesthesiologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.738
H-Index - 107
eISSN - 1399-6576
pISSN - 0001-5172
DOI - 10.1111/j.1399-6576.2008.01862.x
Subject(s) - medicine , anesthesiology , ultrasound , anesthesia , regional anesthesia , ultrasonography , popliteal fossa , surgery , radiology
Objective: The specific aim of this study was to determine the ability of anesthesiology residents to independently identify a series of anatomic structures in a live model using ultrasound, both before and after a 4‐week regional anesthesia rotation that incorporates a standardized ultrasound training curriculum for peripheral nerve blockade. Methods: Ten CA2 and CA3 anesthesiology residents volunteered to participate in this study. Each resident was subjected to a pre‐rotation practical exam, in which he attempted to identify 15 structures at four sites of peripheral nerve blockade, in a test subject. Each resident then received specific training for ultrasound‐guided nerve blocks during a 4‐week regional anesthesia rotation, and then completed a post‐rotation exam. The mean number of structures correctly identified on the exams was compared for significant differences utilizing a paired t ‐test. Results: Residents were able to identify significantly more anatomic structures on the post‐rotation exam as compared with the pre‐rotation exam (mean 14.1 vs. 9.9, P <.001), as well as more peripheral nerve targets. The most frequently misidentified structures on the pre‐rotation exam were the subclavian vein, the sciatic nerve in the popliteal fossa, and the femur. Conclusions: Ultrasound‐naïve anesthesiology residents, who received instruction and experience with ultrasound‐guided peripheral nerve blocks on a 4‐week regional anesthesia rotation, significantly improved their ability to independently identify relevant anatomic structures with ultrasonography.