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- Title
Ultrasound visibility of regional anesthesia catheters: an in vitro study.
- Authors
Takatani, Junji; Takeshima, Naozumi; Okuda, Kentaro; Uchino, Tetsuya; Noguchi, Takayuki
- Abstract
Background: Ultrasound subjective visibility of in-plane needles is correlated with the intensity difference between the needle surface and the background. Regional anesthesia catheters are difficult to visualize by an ultrasound. In the present study, we investigated the ultrasound visibility of the catheters. Methods: Six catheters were placed at 0° and 30° relative to and at a depth of 1 cm below the pork phantom surface. Ultrasound images of in-plane catheters were evaluated, subjectively and objectively. Outer and inner objective visibilities were defined as the difference in the mean pixel intensity between the catheter surface and adjacent background, and between the surface and the center of the catheter, respectively. Evaluations were made based on the portion of the catheters. A P value < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Subjective visibility was more strongly correlated with the inner objective visibility than with the outer objective visibility at both angles. Metallic 19-gauge catheters were more subjectively visible than the non-metallic 20-gauge catheters at 30o degrees (P < 0.01). Subjective, and outer and inner objective visibility were significantly lower at 30o than at 0o (P < 0.01, P < 0.01, P = 0.02). Perifix ONE at 0o and Perifix FX at 30o were the most visible catheters (P < 0.01 for both). Conclusions: Subjective visibility of catheters can not be evaluated in the same manner as that of the needles. For the best possible visualization, we recommend selecting a catheter with a structure that enhances the dark at the center of catheter, rather than basing the catheter selection on the bore size.
- Subjects
CONDUCTION anesthesia; ULTRASONIC imaging; CATHETERS; NERVE block; VISUALIZATION
- Publication
Korean Journal of Anesthesiology, 2012, Vol 63, Issue 1, p59
- ISSN
2005-6419
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.4097/kjae.2012.63.1.59