Place de l'échographie dans l'anesthésie et l'analgésie locorégionale

Over recent years, ultrasonography has greatly contributed to advances in anesthesia. Technical progress since 1990 has progressively enabled the visualization of nerves and neighboring structures. At the present time, associated with nerve stimulation, ultrasonography can enable real-time visualization of needle progression in order to avoid dangerous zones. The clinical popularity of this method has been accompanied by a profusion of published articles concerning first techniques, then comparative studies which have enabled accelerated action of nerve blocks and decreased doses for local anesthesia. Certain drawbacks, other than cost considerations, include the long learning curve. Ultrasonography is now an important tool for anesthesia which must be used in strict application of the classical rules of safety, particularly in the case of nerve stimulation.