Regional Anesthesia Rotation
The Regional Anesthesia rotation at the University of
Virginia consists of a required three week block, beginning during the
CA2 year, dedicated entirely to education in the specialty. Additional
training in regional anesthesia is offered as a four week elective in
the CA3 year. Both the required and elective rotations take place at
the main hospital and the UVA Outpatient Surgery
Center. Approximately 3800 peripheral nerve blocks and
catheters were performed at these two facilities during the 2011
academic year.
During their rotation, residents are responsible for all regional techniques including peripheral blocks, continuous peri-neural catheters, and intravenous regional techniques. Orthopedic, plastic, vascular, and general surgery patients constitute the majority of the patients receiving peripheral nerve block techniques, although all patients are evaluated for potential benefits of a regional technique.
While on the rotation, residents are exposed to a wide variety of nerve blocks using single injection and continuous catheter techniques. The department’s goal is to provide our residents with the technical skills and conceptual knowledge of regional anesthesia and local anesthetics so they can use these skills in their careers as peri-operative consultants. During the CA3 year, residents will have an opportunity to participate in a regional anesthesia-oriented cadaver dissection under the direction of Mike Iwanik, Ph.D., and Ashley Shilling, M.D.
