Ultrasound-guided Peripheral Nerve Blocks Workshop

UP-PGH Department of Anesthesiology
conducts its first Ultrasound-Guided Peripheral Nerve Block Workshop
by Karl Sy Su, MD

The Department of Anesthesiology of the UP-PGH in collaboration with the Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care of the Alexandria Hospital of Singapore holds its First Ultrasound-Guided Peripheral Nerve Block Workshop at the Emergency and Operating Room Complexes on November 11, 13 and 14, 2009.

The event kicked off with the opening ceremonies on November 11 at the Emergency Room Complex. It was then followed by a series of lecture from the faculty of the two institutions. The Department’s Orthopedic Anesthesia Service chief, Dr Peñafrancia C. Cano, talked about basic principles of ultrasound and scanning technique. Visiting faculties from the Alexandria Hospital of Singapore, Drs Uma Iyer Shridhar, Joselo Macahor, David Tan Liang Hui, Bin Wern Hsien and Naville Chia lectured on transversus abdominis, upper extremity, and lower extremity nerve blocks guided by ultrasonography. Dr Pablo F. Lazatin III, the Department’s Vice Chair for Services, served as the master of ceremonies.

The second day of the workshop was highlighted by ultrasound scanning demonstrations of the upper and lower extremities, wherein delegates were taught proper identification of nerves using their respective anatomical landmarks. Participants were also allowed to do hands-on scanning on human volunteers and models.

Wet clinics then followed on the third day. Actual intra-operative demonstrations were done at the PGH Right Central Block (RCB) operating rooms. A total of eight orthopedic patients underwent ultrasound-guided upper or lower extremity nerve block as the main anesthetic technique for their respective surgical procedures. All patients had excellent operative conditions and postoperative pain control.

Consultants, fellows, and residents of the Department took part in this three-day workshop. Delegates from various institutions all over the country consisted of 21 residents, one fellow, and 11 consultants, including two chairperson from their respective hospitals.