Ultrasound-guided spinal anesthesia in infants: a narrative review

Background/importanceInfant spinal anesthesia has many potential benefits. However, the delivery of infant spinal anesthesia is technically challenging. The landmark-based technique has not changed for over a century. Advancements in ultrasound technology may provide an opportunity to improve infant...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Regional anesthesia and pain medicine Vol. 48; no. 12; pp. 608 - 614
Main Authors: Baskin, Paola, Berde, Charles, Saravanan, Arjun, Alrayashi, Walid
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Secaucus BMJ Publishing Group Ltd 01-12-2023
BMJ Publishing Group LTD
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Summary:Background/importanceInfant spinal anesthesia has many potential benefits. However, the delivery of infant spinal anesthesia is technically challenging. The landmark-based technique has not changed for over a century. Advancements in ultrasound technology may provide an opportunity to improve infant spinal procedures.ObjectiveOur primary objective is to conduct a comprehensive review of the current literature on ultrasonography for spinal anesthesia in infants. Given the narrow scope of this topic, our secondary objective is to review the current literature on ultrasonography for lumbar puncture in infants.Evidence reviewWe reviewed all papers related to the use of ultrasound for infant spinal anesthesia. Two large databases were searched with key terms. Eligibility criteria were full-text articles in English. For our secondary objective, we searched one large database for key terms relating to ultrasonography and infant lumbar puncture. Eligibility criteria were the same.FindingsOur primary search retrieved six articles. These consisted of four review articles, one case report, and one retrospective observational study. Our secondary search retrieved fourteen articles. These consisted of five randomized control trials, four prospective studies, three retrospective studies, and two review papers.ConclusionsUltrasound yields high-quality images of the infant spine. Most literature regarding ultrasound for infant spinal procedures arises from emergency medicine or interventional radiology specialties. The literature on ultrasound for infant spinal anesthesia is extremely limited, but shows promise. Future studies are needed in order to determine whether ultrasound can improve the success rate for delivery of infant spinal anesthesia.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Case Study-2
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
ObjectType-Review-3
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ISSN:1098-7339
1532-8651
DOI:10.1136/rapm-2022-104025