| This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of real-time ultrasound guidance for lumbar anesthesia in lower limb orthopedic
surgery patients. A paramedian approach was used, with the operator inserting a spinal needle unaided into the ultrasound
imaging plane. Among 100 consecutive patients, CSF was successfully located within three needle passes in 97 patients
(IQR 1–6). Only three patients experienced CSF aspiration, with two successfully receiving spinal anesthesia and one
requiring general anesthesia. The procedure took an average of 1.2 minutes to complete the intrathecal injection. These
findings suggest that real-time ultrasound guidance can be a reliable method for lumbar anesthesia in orthopedic surgery
patients, potentially improving procedural accuracy and patient outcomesddd |
