The British journal of radiology
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
A comparison of free-hand vs laser-guided long-axis ultrasound techniques in novice users.
The increasing use of point-of-care ultrasonography for targeted procedures justifies a device that helps both novices in training and experts perform the long-axis needle approach. The initial success of traditional needle guidance devices in reducing the time of target procedures is not universal and they can be cumbersome. We aim to investigate whether the less bulky and previously untested laser guide can succeed in reducing procedure time in novice ultrasonographers. ⋯ Following from the prototype paper, this is the first study to investigate the effectiveness of attaching a laser-guidance device to an ultrasound probe. The device succeeded in reducing the procedure times of targeted procedures.