LUMBAR PLEXUS
I find this block to be one of the few, whether single injection or continuous, where the impact of ultrasound utilization is not as dramatic an improvement as it is with most other nerve blocks. This comes from a few different variables. One, it is usually a deep block, so visualization of structures.. read more →
FEMORAL
The femoral nerve is seen to the left of the femoral artery and vein as a hyperechoic (white) triangle in the ultrasound image to the left. This is often one of the first nerve block to master with ultrasound because it is a relatively simple and superficial option and also probably because Total.. read more →
FASCIA ILIACA
I know I keep saying that this or that block is one of the ‘easy ones’, but this one really is another one of them. There are only a few simple essentials to identify on the image, and this block is also a good one to perform early as you are developing ultrasound.. read more →
INTERSCALENE
Converting from nerve stimulation to ultrasound for an interscalene nerve block classically involves going to a more posterior approach. This is also the case when changing from the traditional single injection to a continuous nerve block. For reasonable catheter securement issues as well as optimizing visualization with ultrasound, it becomes necessary to enter the skin several.. read more →
SUBCOSTAL TAP
As I mentioned in the previous section, I believe that the subcostal TAP block is even easier than the TAP block. With the TAP block, the main difficulty is getting within (or just below or above) the fascial plane without puncturing the bowel. This can involve a significant amount of scraping or jabbing.. read more →
ANTERIOR SCIATIC
I think that this is the first nerve block that I have introduced on this website where I will not say “this is an easy block that you should start on early in your course of learning ultrasound nerve blocks”. Again, it will certainly come to you, but it is not the easiest.. read more →