Artificial intelligence (AI) may be able to improve the delivery of ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia (UGRA), making more “awake” surgeries possible and improving patient outcomes, according to a new study published in the British Journal of Anaesthesia.[1]
"UGRA can facilitate awake surgery, avoiding general anesthesia and associated potential complications, or be used in combination with general anesthesia to provide postoperative analgesia," wrote lead author James S. Bowness of the Nuffield Department of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Oxford, and colleagues. "It can contribute to improved surgical outcomes and provide cost savings in healthcare, by enhancing theatre efficiency and reduced hospital length of stay. However, patient access to these techniques can be limited by the availability of individuals with the required training and expertise."
AI technology is being explored as a potential way to improve patient access to UGRA. For example, the AI-powered ScanNav Anatomy Peripheral Nerve Block from Intelligent Ultrasound overlays real-time ultrasound images with color highlights to identify relevant anatomical structures. Similar solutions are also available, although only a limited number of studies have evaluated their clinical use thus far.
Bowness et al. examined data from a single facility, comparing the number of UGRA procedures carried out before and after the ScanNav technology was made available. Without ScanNav, specialists carried out 71 blocks among 207 eligible cases; with ScanNav, they carried out 93 blocks among 193 eligible cases.
These results, the authors explained, suggest Intelligent Ultrasound's AI-based technology has the potential to enhance the delivery of UGRA and expand patient access.
The group also evaluated various secondary outcomes, including patient and anesthetist satisfaction, the ease of performing procedures and more. The introduction of ScanNav did not seem to affect the quality of peripheral nerve blocks performed, with similar levels of patient satisfaction and postoperative analgesia reported. Anesthetists did express high levels of satisfaction with the device, indicating that it boosted their confidence in performing procedures and they would consider using it again in the future.
The study also had certain limitations, such as potential gaps in data collection and the influence of the Hawthorne effect on practice. The researchers emphasized the need for more extensive and long-term clinical studies to determine whether AI-assisted UGRA delivery is sustainable and to gain a deeper understanding of its impact on clinical outcomes and side effects.
Intelligent Ultrasound issued its own prepared statement highlighting the work of Bowness and colleagues.
“These results are a testament to the potential of our ScanNa Anatomy Peripheral Nerve Block to develop clinical practice in regional anesthesia and support enhanced patient access to the benefits of these techniques," Stuart Gall, CEO of Intelligent Ultrasound, said in the statement. "This furthers our aim of democratising access to ultrasound-based healthcare solutions and enhancing patient care worldwide.”
Chad is an award-winning writer and editor with over 15 years of experience working in media. He has a decade-long professional background in healthcare, working as a writer and in public relations.