Preliminary study of a teaching model for ultrasound-guided peripheral nerve blockade and effects on the learning curve in veterinary anesthesia residents.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of an experimental colloid model for teaching veterinary anesthesia residents ultrasound-guided technique for nerve blockade.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, blinded and randomized.

METHODS: Colloid models were constructed for practice in ultrasound-guided needle location. Nine veterinary anesthesia residents with no prior experience of ultrasound-guided technique for nerve blocks were randomly divided into three groups. Each group received theoretical orientation. Two groups were assigned to practical training using the experimental model: group 1 (G1) received 2 hours of training and group 2 (G2) received 1 hour of training prior to testing with specific tasks. Group 3 (G3) received no practical training. During testing, the time required for task completion (e.g., display of structures and positioning a needle) and the number of failures were recorded.

RESULTS: The average times to completion of the tasks and the number of technical failures were: G1, 47 seconds and 1 failure; G2, 68 seconds and 2 failures; G3, 187 seconds and 7 failures.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In residents with no prior experience of ultrasound-guided needle placement, using an experimental colloid model and a longer training period was associated with increased accuracy and decreased time to task completion. Based on the results of this study, training with an experimental model can be recommended to improve the speed and accuracy of needle manipulation using ultrasound in clinicians with no prior experience of ultrasound-guided technique.