Ultrasound now assists Surrey anaesthetists

Dr Tim Pepall uses a SonoSite MicroMaxx.

Anaesthetists at Frimley Park Hospital in Surrey rely on a MicroMaxx hand-carried ultrasound system from SonoSite for regional anaesthesia, particularly for their high caseload of hand and lower limb surgery.

Dr Tim Pepall, consultant anaesthetist and day surgery lead at Frimley Park, explained: “I first saw a MicroMaxx system being used at a specialist course on regional ultrasound that I attended in Vienna, and we purchased one last year to complement the smaller SonoSite instrument we already had in the department.

“We use the MicroMaxx system routinely for regional anaesthesia work, and several colleagues also use it to guide treatment for joint pains and, occasionally, for placing lines in children. The instrument itself is very simple to use and I like its portability.”

Tim added: “Ultrasound guidance gives us the reliability of knowing exactly where the nerve is and probably increases success rate while reducing complications. It is certainly the future for regional anaesthesia.”

See this report on page 31 of the May 2010 issue of RAD Magazine.