USRA-B
Course description
Regional anesthesia is a fundamental option for controlling traumatic and non-traumatic pain and for carrying out invasive procedures and surgical interventions, alternatively or in conjunction with systemic analgesics and sedatives or narcotics.
Ultrasound guidance for regional anesthesia entails some advantages compared to traditional techniques (blind or with electrostimulation):
- better quality of nerve blocks, with quicker onset and longer duration of the anesthetic effect;
- reduction in the amount of anesthetic needed;
- reduction of mechanical complications (accidental vascular puncture, hematoma, diaphragmatic paralysis, peripheral nerve lesions/dysfunctions) thanks to the direct vision of the normal anatomy and its variants;
- greater patient satisfaction.
The aim of the course is to impart knowledge and skills about the use of ultrasound in performing regional anesthesia for the blockade of the nerves/plexuses and fascial planes.
Course content
This course is designed mainly for medical professionals who incorporate local-regional anesthesia into their clinical practice, including anesthetists, emergency physicians, surgeons, intensivists, orthopedics., pre-hospital healthcare workers.
Course outline
- Introduction and Classroom Agreement: Course introduction and establishment of classroom guidelines.
- Ultrasound Physics and Technology (optional): Understanding the fundamentals of ultrasound physics and technology as applied to regional anesthesia.
- Semiotics and Ultrasound Technique for Peripheral Nerves: Signs and ultrasound-based approaches for both proximal and distal peripheral nerves.
- Semiotics and Ultrasound Technique for Fascial Planes of the Trunk: Signs and ultrasound-based approaches for thoraco-abdominal fascial planes.
- Local Anesthetics and Adjuvants: Pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic characteristics of local anesthetics and adjuvants used for nerve blocks.
- Devices and Material Selection: Selection of needles, catheters and connecting tubes for nerve blocks.
- Eco Support for Peripheral Nerve Blocks – General Principles and Site Selection: Discussion of the principles and general guidelines in choosing injection sites with echo support for blocks of the proximal plexuses and distal nerves of the limbs.
- Eco Support for Fascial Planes Blocks: General Principles and Site
Selection: Discussion of the principles and general guidelines in choosing
injection sites with echo support for blocks of the thoraco-abdominal fascial planes. - Procedural Technique: Detailed explanation of the technique: introduction of the needle and injection of the local anesthetic.
- Complications: Prevention, recognition and management of complications associated with regional anesthesia.
- Video (or demonstration) – A Complete Procedure: Visual demonstration of a comprehensive nerve block procedure.
- Eco Support for Peripheral Nerve Blocks: Instruction and practice for ultrasound approach to peripheral nerves.
- Eco Support for Fascial Planes Blocks: Instruction and practice for ultrasound approach to fascial planes.
- In Plane Ultrasound-Guided Regional Anesthesia: Training in longitudinal ultrasound-guided needle access within the scan plane.
- Final Evaluation: Assessment of course participants to gauge their knowledge and skills.
- Post-Course Paths and Conclusions: Discussion of future learning paths and a conclusion to the course.