Home | Help Center

Endless possibilities in academia

A case report on ultrasound-guided long-axis out-of-plane approach for difficult neuraxial anesthesia

Liangqing Lin1,2, Qinghua Wu1,2, Pinhui Ke1,2, Chunlan Lin1,2, Yaohua Yu1,2


1The Graduate School of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 351022, Fujian, China.

2Department of Anesthesiology, The First Hospital of Putian City, Putian 351100, Fujian, China.


Address correspondence to: Yaohua Yu, The Graduate School of Fujian Medical University, No. 1 Xuefu North Road, Shangjie Town, Minhou County, Fuzhou 351022, Fujian, China. E-mail: yyh.8@163.com.


DOI: https://doi.org/10.61189/037416axzkek


Received April 16, 2026; Accepted June 1, 2026; Published June 12, 2026

Abstract

Neuraxial anesthesia is often challenging in patients with obesity, spinal deformity, prior spinal surgery, ankylosing spondylitis, or of advanced age, as conventional landmark-based techniques frequently fail in this population. Ultrasound guidance has improved puncture accuracy; however, commonly used approaches may still be limited by patient positioning and the side from which the operator prefers to work. We report five cases of extremely difficult neuraxial anesthesia in which the procedure was successfully performed using an ultrasound-guided paramedian sagittal long-axis out-of-plane approach. This technique allows continuous visualization of the lamina and the anterior–posterior complex, providing a short and direct puncture path with real-time guidance. All procedures were completed successfully on the first attempt, with short puncture times and no anesthesia-related complications. These cases suggest that the ultrasound-guided long-axis out-of-plane approach is a safe, effective, and flexible option for managing difficult neuraxial anesthesia.

Keywords: Ultrasound guidance, Neuraxial anesthesia, Long-axis out-of-plane approach, Difficult puncture, Case report

Supplementary Material

Cite

Lin LQ, Wu QH, Ke PH, Lin CL, Yu YH. A case report on ultrasound-guided long-axis out-of-plane approach for difficult neuraxial anesthesia. Perioper Precis Med. 2026 Jun; 4 (2): 154-158. doi: 10.61189/037416axzkek

[Copy]