Articles: nerve-block.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Aug 2021
Comparative StudyFiber-Needle Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography for the Real-Time Visualization of the Transversus Abdominis Plane Block Procedure in a Swine Model.
Fascia blocks (eg, the transversus abdominis plane [TAP] block) target the intermuscular fascia layers. Ultrasound techniques have allowed peripheral blocks to be performed with accuracy and safety, however, with limitations. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is based on low-coherence interferometry. In this study, we examined the ability of OCT to identify the TAP. ⋯ This study introduced a novel needle imaging probe method to identify the transversus abdominis fascia plane in real-time. Quantitative calculation of the attenuation coefficients can further aid objective identification by providing direct confirmation of the tip position, increasing the first-pass success rate, and decreasing the need for needle repositioning. Combining OCT and ultrasound may improve the accuracy of anesthetics placement.