TY - JOUR T1 - Effect of needle type on plane block spread in a cadaveric porcine model JF - BMJ Military Health JO - BMJ Mil Health DO - 10.1136/bmjmilitary-2021-001827 SP - bmjmilitary-2021-001827 AU - Scott Hughey AU - J Cole AU - G J Booth AU - R Gliniecki AU - E Stedjelarsen Y1 - 2021/07/13 UR - http://militaryhealth.bmj.com/content/early/2021/07/13/bmjmilitary-2021-001827.abstract N2 - Introduction Plane blocks are an increasingly common type of regional anaesthesia technique in the perioperative period. Increased spread of local anaesthesia during plane blocks is thought to be related to an increased area of pain coverage. This study sought to assess differences in injectate spread comparing Tuohy needles with standard insulated stimulating block needles.Methods 10 Yorkshire-Cross porcine cadavers were used in this study. Immediately following euthanasia, the cadavers underwent bilateral ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block injection with radiopaque contrast dye, with one side placed with a 20 g Tuohy needle, and the other side with a 20 g insulated stimulating block needle. Injectate spread was assessed using plain film X-ray and area of spread was measured to compare differences.Results All 10 animals underwent successful ultrasound-guided TAP block placement. In all 10 animals, the area of contrast spread was greater with the Tuohy than stimulating needle. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to analyse the difference between the groups. The average difference between the two sides was 33.02% (p=0.002).Conclusions This is the first study to demonstrate differences in injectate spread with different needle types. This suggests enhanced spread with Tuohy needle compared with standard block needle, and may encourage its use during plane blocks.All data relevant to the study are included in the article or uploaded as supplemental information. All data are presented in the manuscript. ER -