On the 19th of March 2018, the Golden Jubilee Hospital in Clydebank welcomed 40 delegates to participate in a workshop on regional anaesthesia, the largest event planned for the region this year. The one-day training course – delivered in conjunction with Regional Anaesthesia UK and the Glasgow and West of Scotland Society of Anaesthetists – started with three lectures focusing on current hot topics in regional anaesthesia, amusingly titled What’s kool for knees? What’s ace for the abdomen? and What’s best for breast? The presentations covered regional anaesthesia for knee surgery, a review of the evidence of analgesic techniques for abdominal surgery – including rectus sheath, TAP and quadratus lumborum surgery – and PECS blocks and analgesia for breast surgery. Following this, the afternoon was given over to a number of workshops, ranging from needling practice to infraclavicular approaches.
Dr Alan Macfarlane, a consultant anaesthetist with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and one of the event organisers, remarked: “Our hope is that the participants left with a better understanding of the evidence for the best regional anaesthesia techniques for breast, knee and abdominal surgery, as well as being more comfortable using ultrasound scanning for all the main peripheral upper limb, lower limb and truncal nerve blocks.”
FUJIFILM Sonosite was delighted to support the event by supplying 10 ultrasound systems, enabling plenty of small group scanning throughout the day. Alan continued: “I’ve taught on many Sonosite courses previously, and it made sense to reach out to the company. Many clinicians regularly use its ultrasound systems, so they are already familiar with the machines. In addition, our local company reps have been very supportive over the last nine years, which is invaluable when we are organising a course. We have used Sonosite systems for years at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary, and I have always been impressed with the excellent image quality and ease of use.”