Peripheral nerve stimulation under ultrasonographic control to determine the needle-to-nerve relationship.

Objective: To determine the needle-to-nerve distances during electrical nerve location in dogs at different currents and pulse duration using a peripheral nerve stimulator (PNS) under ultrasound control (US), and the minimal electrical thresholds (MET) necessary to obtain a motor response (MR) after achieving needle-to-nerve contact.

Study Design: Prospective in vivo experimental trial in a clinical setting

Animals: Thirty dogs, scheduled for locoregional anaesthesia of the sciatic nerve.

Methods: Needle-to-nerve distance was measured ultrasonographically after obtaining the MR of sciatic nerve with 2, 1 and 0.