Summary

There are few situations in anesthesia where precise anatomic location is more important than in regional anesthesia. But, of course, any anesthesiologist who performs regional on a regular basis is fully aware of the frustration of attempting to locate nerves on a trial and error basis. Ultrasound imaging now enables us to visualize nerves, and this exciting technology offers several distinct benefits over conventional nerve locating techniques. The Atlas of Ultrasound and Nerve Stimulation-Guided Regional Anesthesia illustrates how to use ultrasound technology and nerve stimulation techniques to achieve consistently good results. Throughout the book, ultrasound images are correlated with MRI images to enhance anatomic identification. In addition, peripheral nerve block techniques for upper and lower extremities and the trunk are demonstrated step-by-step. With the luxury of being able to actually see the target nerve and the course of the needle as it approaches that nerve, anesthesiologists can now perform regional anesthesia with much greater accuracy. This approach allows the anesthesiologist to conduct regional anesthesia with much greater confidence and efficiency and in doing so the patient is the ultimate beneficiary in terms of success and safety.