Ultrasound-Guided Regional Anesthesia: A Narrative Review of Techniques, Safety, and Clinical Applications

Ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia (UGRA) has changed how we manage pain by allowing doctors to visualize nerves and other structures in real time, making the process more accurate, effective, and safe while also reducing risk. This narrative review examines the latest advancements in UGRA techniques, evaluating their efficacy and safety, particularly for peripheral nerve and truncal plane blocks, their potential to diminish opioid consumption, and their clinical applications in perioperative care. This review followed the Scale for the Assessment of Narrative Review Articles (SANRA) quality assessment guidelines and searched six databases for studies published from January 2015 to October 2025, including trials, meta-analyses, cohort studies, reviews, and technical reports. This review aims to give doctors, anesthesia experts, and researchers the newest information and methods about UGRA, focusing on better ways to see needles and use additives like dexamethasone and dexmedetomidine to make regional anesthesia more effective and last longer, which can help lower opioid use and speed up recovery after surgery, while ultrasound guidance makes these techniques safer and more accurate. Another important finding is that real-time imaging and protocols help reduce safety concerns like toxicity, nerve damage, and infection. Artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics in UGRA enhance precision, safety, and recovery, paving the way for further standardization and accessibility.