Ultrasound-guided lumbar puncture with a needle-guidance system: A prospective and controlled study to evaluate the learnability and feasibility of a newly developed approach.

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Ultrasound-guided lumbar puncture with a needle-guidance system: A prospective and controlled study to evaluate the learnability and feasibility of a newly developed approach.

PLoS One. 2018;13(4):e0195317

Authors: Backhaus T, von Cranach M, Brich J

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the learnability and feasibility of a new technique comprising a needle-guidance-system (NGS) for ultrasound-assisted lumbar puncture.
METHOD: Using a randomized crossover study design, 24 medical students were asked to perform an ultrasound-assisted lumbar puncture on a gel phantom using two different techniques that each included a paramedian insertion site. Procedure 1 (P1) used a pre-procedural ultrasound scan to predetermine the ideal insertion point. Procedure 2 (P2) applied a new technique comprising an NGS for performing real-time ultrasound-guided lumbar puncture. Success rates and performance times for both procedures were compared. Participants were also asked to complete a post-study questionnaire, both to quantitatively assess the workload involved and state their personal preferences.
RESULTS: In comparison to the pre-procedural scan (P1), the NGS (P2) was associated with a significant increase in the number of successful punctures per participant (5 (P2) [interquartile range: 3.3-5.0] vs. 3 (P1) [interquartile range: 1.3-4.0], p = 0.005), and led to a significant reduction in performance time (118 seconds vs. 80.6 seconds, p < 0.001). In terms of workload perception, NGS use was associated with significantly better performances and lower frustration levels, as rated by students in the post-study questionnaire. Finally, 23/24 participants stated their preference for P2.
CONCLUSION: Our newly-developed technique for real-time ultrasound-guided lumbar puncture proved to be learnable and feasible for novices, and only required a small amount of training. The use of an NGS therefore has the potential to serve as a key feature of the ultrasound-assisted lumbar puncture.

PMID: 29630646 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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