Applications of the ultrasound‐guided nerve block technique for nonanalgesic effects

Abstract

The nerve block technique guided by ultrasound has been able to accurately block tiny nerves throughout the body in recent years. It has been increasingly used to treat multisystem diseases or analgesia in surgical patients, but the latter accounted for the vast majority of cases. The nonanalgesic effect of nerve blocks is also in wide demand. After searching ultrasound-guided nerve block works on the PubMed database, we systematically summarized the current clinical application of the nerve block technique and the unique role and related mechanism of nerve block in the prevention and treatment of multi-system diseases or symptoms, including disorders of the circulatory and respiratory systems, postoperative cognitive dysfunction, immune function, posttraumatic stress disorder, and postoperative digestive system, to put forward the potential prospective application in future and serve as a reference for future research of nerve block therapy in these diseases mentioned.

Real Time Ultrasound-Guided Thoracic Epidural Catheterization with Patients in the Lateral Decubitus Position without Flexion of Knees and Neck: A Preliminary Investigation

“…However, it is difficult for some patients to maintain this position for several minutes without movement, which has been identified as a risk factor for dural puncture during epidural anesthesia [ 5 ]. Ultrasound (US) imaging can now be a valuable tool to view tissue and structures like nerve and spine anatomy, which could improve the clinical efficacy of epidural catheter placement, reduce the risk of failed or traumatic procedures, and decrease the number of attempts and redirections of the needle [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ]. Until now, there have been no reports on whether the US has an advantage in epidural catheter placement in patients who cannot maintain the “forehead to knees” ideal position.…”