POCUS in Anaesthesia
Overview
Point-of-care ultrasound has transformed perioperative care, from pre-operative gastric content assessment to real-time regional nerve block guidance and post-operative lung assessment. This guide covers the key anaesthetic applications of handheld ultrasound.
Key Clinical Points
Gastric antrum assessment identifies full or empty stomach pre-operatively
Ultrasound-guided nerve blocks increase success rates and reduce local anaesthetic volumes
Tracheal and airway ultrasound can confirm endotracheal tube placement
IVC assessment guides intraoperative fluid management decisions
Post-operative lung scanning detects atelectasis and new pleural effusions
Vascular access under real-time guidance significantly reduces complications
Related Specialties
Ready to put this into practice?
Book a free hands-on POCUS demonstration with Dr. Docrat at your practice.
Book a Free Demo