The use of ultrasound guided regional anaesthesia has increased in recent times among anaesthetists in many countries. Portability, increased processing power and a reduction in equipment costs have all added to its growth. Recent literature has also suggested the following advantages over other techniques:

• reduced time for block insertion
• increased cost effectiveness
• reduced dose of local anaesthetic agent
• increased block success
• reduced complication rates
• improved block quality
• Improved block duration
• Aids visualisatio of LA spread during regional anesthesia

Some of these aspects have more of a body of evidence and some of them have little if any evidence currently to support these statements. There is therefore some difference in the peripheral nerve stimulation and ultrasound camps.

The Advanced Oxford Ultrasound regional anaesthesia course is a 2 day course covering upper, lower and neuro axial blocks and is run on behalf of the Oxford Society of Anaesthetists.