In the setting of a surgical procedure, ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia is associated with the risk of long-term postoperative neurologic symptoms. Local anesthetic systemic toxicity, however, is extremely uncommon.

In healthy volunteers, US guidance results in a more successful tibial nerve block at the ankle than does a traditional approach using surface landmarks.

No abstract

: Ultrasound guidance using the lesser saphenous vein as a reference point results in a more complete and longer lasting sural nerve block than does a traditional approach using surface landmarks.

The use of ultrasound seems to improve the onset of deep peroneal nerve block at the ankle but does not improve the overall quality of the block.