Risk management in ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia

The innovation of ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia technique has enabled the anesthesiologist to secure an accurate needle position and to monitor the distribution of the local anesthetic in real time. However, the evidence is necessary concerning increased benefits and reduced complications compared to conventional guidance techniques. This article highlights the importance of acquiring an understanding and knowledge of the complications related to regional anesthesia itself, including neural injury, local anesthetics systemic toxicity and vascular injury. Common complications of nerve blocks can be avoided with major principles of ultrasound-guided technique, which involves similar risk of complications and requires similar amount of knowledge for management. It is necessary to establish the recommendations for the scope of practice, teaching curriculum and the opinion for implementing the medical practice of ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia.