Ultrasound-guided thoracic paravertebral block using the SonixGPS? system in human cadavers

摘要

The recent case report on spinal anesthesia using the SonixGPS~R (Ultrasonix, Richmond, BC, Canada) needle tracking system prompted us to share our recent experience using the same system to perform paravertebral blocks in cadavers. Locating the paravertebral space can be technically difficult due to the depth of the paravertebral space relative to the skin. In addition, the probe position and the acute angle of needle trajectory render the tip and distal portion of the needle difficult to visualize when concurrently viewing the anatomical structures using conventional ultrasound techniques. Theoretically, the SonixGPS system may be useful for performing paravertebral blocks owing to its ability to provide a real-time display of needle trajectory and to facilitate needle-beam alignment. Three unembalmed cadavers (two female, one male; median [range] height, 175 [173-178] cm; body mass index, 18.2 [13.1 to 27.1]) in the Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences of the University of British Columbia were studied after approval by The University of British Columbia Research Ethics Board.