• Jacques E Chelly, Jennifer Greger, Ralf Gebhard, Carin A Hagberg, Tameem Al-Samsam, and Ahmad Khan.
• Department of Anesthesiology, The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
• J Clin Anesth. 2002 Dec 1;14(8):584-8.

Study ObjectiveTo survey American anesthesiology residency program directors to determine the availability and extent of training in peripheral nerve block techniques.DesignSurvey questionnaire was mailed and faxed to 132 American anesthesiology residency program directors and followed up 4 weeks later with another mailing to nonresponders.SettingUniversity medical center.Measurements And Main ResultsOf the 132 American anesthesiology residency program directors surveyed, 69 (52%) responded. Of the responders, 40 (58%) offered a specific peripheral nerve block rotation. The rotation was of 1 month's duration in 61% of these programs. Formal instruction was administered during the rotation in 69%. The regional instruction approach consisted of a nerve stimulator (98%), paresthesia (75%), and transarterial (85%). Multimedia, mannequins, and cadaver dissection were used infrequently (13-25%). During the rotation, residents performed a variety of blocks, but the number of each block varied from 2 (supraclavicular) to 10 (axillary). These blocks were performed in the operating room in 48% of programs. Finally, in the programs with a specific peripheral nerve block rotation, residents were evaluated.ConclusionsSpecific peripheral nerve block rotations are not always included in anesthesiology residents' curriculum. In addition, residents in programs with a specific nerve block rotation are exposed to a greater number of peripheral nerve block techniques than those who do not have such a rotation included in their curriculum.

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