Taking advantage of today’s technology
A few decades ago, the thought of using ultrasound for anesthesia seemed silly and unnecessary. Today, ultrasound has become one of the leading technological innovations for many regional anesthesia procedures. The benefits of using ultrasound for needle injections are incredible, as you’re able to see the needle on the screen as you make your way around internal structures to your target destination. In this case, seeing is truly believing.
Using ultrasound and regional anesthesia to manage pain during surgery is one of its many benefits, but it can also help patients before and after surgery as well. The most important thing a patient wants is to be as pain-free as possible throughout the entire surgical experience, including the pre-op and post-op stages. By using ultrasound, a team of anesthesiologists can provide the patient with exactly that.
Here’s a breakdown of the added advantages to using ultrasound before and after surgery:
When managing pain for surgery, it all starts with the pre-op routines. Ultrasound can come in handy when placing IVs in patients whose veins might be difficult to reach, or even see. By using ultrasound to find hidden or hard to reach veins, it decreases the amount of painful needle sticks a patient might otherwise have to receive. Ultrasound allows even the most inexperienced physician to find the vein quickly and easily, often with the patient fully awake and conscious. With the help of ultrasound, it usually only takes a single needle insertion to get the job done.
Some surgeries come with agonizing post-surgical pain, including surgeries on the hips and shoulder. With ultrasound, post-op pain can be significantly reduced. By using it to place blocks for pain relief, it can help visualize the target nerves and surround them with a pain-blocking local anesthetic. Using these techniques also reduces the need for narcotics, which can lessen the amount of nausea and vomiting a patient might experience. It also increases the rate at which it takes the affected joints to become more mobile again.
The advantages of ultrasound use in anesthesia and pain management are clear, but the possibilities shouldn’t end here. As new benefits are discovered over time, it’s only a matter of time until the next breakthrough is realized.
To read more on the benefits of using ultrasound for regional anesthesia, click here: Anesthesia Alert: Are You Using Ultrasound to Its Full Potential?
Since 1981, Havel’s has offered premium quality anesthesia needles and pain control needles for anesthesiologists, pain management specialists, physicians, doctors, hospitals and other leading medical professionals. To see Havel’s selection of anesthesia and pain control needles, please click here: Havel’s Anesthesia and Pain Control Needles.