Novel nerve imaging and regional anesthesia, bio-impedance and the future

Ultrasound technology has transformed the practice of regional anaesthesia. Anaesthesiologists routinely use real-time images to guide needle and local anaesthetic placement adjacent to nerves. It is widely accepted that the era of ultrasonography has improved peripheral nerve block success rates and lessened the dose of local anaesthetic required to achieve success. Contemporary reports of harm in relation to nerve injury or local anaesthetic systemic toxicity are reassuring. The safety and efficacy of regional anaesthesia have thus been enhanced. Ultrasound guidance is, however, not a panacea. Ultrasound guidance requires the development of complex psychomotor skills. Harm may still occur where the needle or local anaesthetic is misplaced, resulting in nerve injury, vascular injury or local anaesthetic systemic toxicity. Advances in both imaging and needle technology may further enhance the safety and efficacy of ultrasound-guided regional anaesthesia. This review will focus on peer review literature to characterise the clinical challenges and explore the potential solutions.