| ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2021 | Volume
: 15
| Issue : 4 | Page : 385-390 |
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Ultrasound block of the medial branch: Learning the technique using CUSUM curves
Marta Putzu1, Maurizio Marchesini2
1 Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Emergency, University Hospital ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
2 Department of Mininvasive Surgery, Pain Medicine Unit, IRCCS, Maugeri, Pavia, Italy
Correspondence Address:
Dr. Maurizio Marchesini
Department of Mininvasive Surgery, Pain Medicine Unit, IRCCS, Maugeri, Pavia
Italy
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/aer.aer_162_21
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Background: Blocking the medial branch of the lumbar facet joints plays a fundamental diagnostic and therapeutic role in the treatment of lumbar pain. Attempts to replace the typical guided X-ray techniques with ultrasound-guided techniques have also involved treating the lumbar medial branches. By applying the cumulative sum control chart (CUSUM method), we sought to evaluate the learning curve associated with ultrasound-guided block of the lumbar medial branches in operators experienced in locoregional anesthesia but without expertise in pain therapy. Aim: This study aimed to use a repeatable method to identify the learning curve of the ultrasound-guided medial branch block. Settings and Design: This study was a prospective application of over forty consecutive procedures of ultrasound lumbar medial branch block. Materials and Methods: The ultrasound medial branch blocks were performed under ultrasound guidance with confirmation of correct positioning using fluoroscopy on a population of patients with low back pain with any body mass index (BMI). Statistical Analysis: The operator's performance was assessed using the learning curve cumulative summation test (LS-CUSUM). Results and Conclusions: The correct target was reached in 29 procedures out of a total of 40 (72.5%) and in 29 out of 36 procedures performed on patients with BMI <30 (80.5%). According to the CUSUM algorithm, 11 further consecutive successes would have been necessary (47 procedures in total) to achieve a proven learning of the technique in the group with only patients with a BMI <30, with a further 22 consecutive successes (62 procedures in total) in the general group. Ultrasound-guided block of the lumbar medial branch appears not to be optimal for training beginner/intermediate operators seeking to replace guided X-ray procedures with guided ultrasound.
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