Ether Resources for Anesthesia Research and Education

Sonia Szlyk's Top Ten Regional Anesthesia Articles (5/1/2009)



Dr. Sonia Szlyk
Clinical Assistant Professor of Anesthesia

Sonia Szlyk, MD is a Clinical Instructor of Anesthesia at the Stanford University School of Medicine and is a member of the regional anesthesia group. She graduated from the George Washington University School of Medicine in 2003 and completed her anesthesiology residency there in 2007.

Dr. Szlyk notes, "While there are a myriad of relevant articles, I’ve selected these for their focus on education, outcome, and management of potential complications.

The recent introduction of ultrasound guidance has energized the regional anesthesia community. For residents in training programs and seasoned anesthesiologists in private/academic practice, proficient use of ultrasound guidance has become a widely accepted (and even expected) skill for peripheral nerve blocks. (1, 2, 3, 4) Mastery of ultrasound guidance can also be advantageous during central line placement.

Regional anesthesia incorporates an interdisciplinary approach and benefits are seen throughout the perioperative experience. Peripheral nerve blocks are an integral part of treatment pathways for total knee and hip arthroplasty and facilitate improved pain management, successful participation in physical therapy, and shortened hospital length of stay. (5, 6), Outpatient use of continuous catheters has also gained momentum. (7)

Of course with the introduction of new technology comes the important challenge of developing standards for its safe application as well as review of potential complications and their management. (8, 9, 10)


The American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine and the European Society Of Regional Anaesthesia and Pain Therapy Joint Committee recommendations for education and training in ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia.
Reg Anesth Pain Med. , 28 April 2009

PubMed: 19258987

Category: Regional Anesthesia
Added by Larry Chu


Upper extremity regional anesthesia: essentials of our current understanding, 2008 Reg Anesth Pain Med. , 28 April 2009

PubMed: 19282714

Category: Regional Anesthesia
Added by Larry Chu


Artifacts and pitfall errors associated with ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia. Part I: a pictorial approach to understanding and avoidance.
Reg Anesth Pain Med., 28 April 2009

PubMed: 17961841

Category: Regional Anesthesia
Added by Larry Chu


Artifacts and pitfall errors associated with ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia. Part II: a pictorial approach to understanding and avoidance.
Reg Anesth Pain Med., 28 April 2009

PubMed: 17961842

Category: Regional Anesthesia
Added by Larry Chu


A pre-emptive multimodal pathway featuring peripheral nerve block improves perioperative outcomes after major orthopedic surgery.
Reg Anesth Pain Med., 28 April 2009

PubMed: 19258965

Category: Regional Anesthesia
Added by Larry Chu


Continuous lumbar plexus block for postoperative pain control after total hip arthroplasty. A randomized controlled trial.
J Bone Joint Surg Am. , 28 April 2009

PubMed: 19122076

Category: Regional Anesthesia
Added by Larry Chu


Outpatient management of continuous peripheral nerve catheters placed using ultrasound guidance: an experience in 620 patients.
Anesth Analg., 28 April 2009

PubMed: 17122219
Category: Regional Anesthesia
Added by Larry Chu


Effect of local anaesthetic volume (20 vs 5 ml) on the efficacy and respiratory consequences of ultrasound-guided interscalene brachial plexus block.
Br J Anaesth., 28 April 2009

PubMed: 18682410
Category: Regional Anesthesia
Added by Larry Chu


Intravenous lipid emulsion for local anesthetic toxicity: a review of the literature.
J Med Toxicol., 28 April 2009

PubMed: 18821493
Category: Regional Anesthesia
Added by Larry Chu


ASRA Practice Advisory on Neurologic Complications in Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine.
Reg Anesth Pain Med., 28 April 2009

PubMed: 18774509
Category: Regional Anesthesia
Added by Larry Chu

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