Use of a curved needle to facilitate lateral sagittal infraclavicular block performance: a randomized clinical trial.

Purpose: Failed needle-tip positioning in an ultrasound-guided infraclavicular block can be due to improper needle insertion point and steep needle insertion angle. Needle pre-curving enables the user to pass the needle with different curved trajectories on approaching the brachial plexus. Aim of the study was to compare curved and non-curved needles as regards the time needed to perform the lateral sagittal infra-clavicular block.

Extended infusion versus intermittent infusion of imipenem in the treatment of ventilator-associated pneumonia.

Background: Mechanical ventilation support can be the main source of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). VAP is a serious infection that may be associated with dangerous gram-negative bacteria mainly, and it leads to an increase in the mortality in the intensive care unit (ICU). Imipenem is one of the strongest antibiotics now available for treating VAP which is associated with gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, and it belongs to beta-lactam antibiotic group (carbapenem).

Ultrasound-guided sciatic nerve block: a comparison between four different infragluteal probe and needle alignment approaches.

Purpose: Our aim was compare onset time of sciatic nerve blockade (SNB) performed distal to the subgluteal fold using four different ultrasound (US)-guided approaches in patients undergoing foot or ankle surgery.

Methods: Patients were assigned to one of four groups: SI patients received SNB using short-axis (SA) view of the SN and in-plane (IP) placement of block needle (SA-IP approach); LI patients received SNB using long-axis (LA) view of the SN and IP needle placement (LA-IP approach); SO patients received the block using SA view of the SN and out-of-plane (OP) needle placement (SA-OP approach); LO patients received SNB using LA view of the SN and OP needle placement (LA-OP). Primary outcome included onset time of sensory and motor SNB.

Ultrasound-guided internal jugular vein access: comparison between short axis and long axis techniques.

The use of real-time ultrasound (US) is advantageous in the insertion of central venous catheters (CVCs) in adults, especially in whom difficulties are anticipated for various reasons. The aim of the present study was to compare two different real-time 2-dimensional US-guided techniques [short axis view/out-of-plane approach (SAX OOP approach) versus long axis view/in-plane approach (LAX IP approach)] for internal jugular vein (IJV) cannulation. In this prospective study, 90 critical care and hemodialysis patients were assigned for insertion of CVCs using either the real-time US-guided (SAX OOP approach or LAX IP approach) or landmark technique (control group).