Ultrasound-guided peripheral intravenous cannulation for patients requiring dental surgery under intravenous dental sedation

Dental surgeons regularly provide intravenous dental sedation and oral/transmucosal sedation, which involves cannulation. Cannulation is an essential skill that dental surgeons should be competent to perform, but certain patient groups may be difficult to cannulate. Ultrasound-guided peripheral intravenous cannulation is an evidence-based technique already used in radiology, emergency medicine, and anaesthesia. Ultrasound-guided peripheral intravenous cannulation has been shown to reduce complications and significantly increase the success of cannulation in patients with difficult intravenous access (DIVA); it may also be preferable in certain special care patient groups. The application of ultrasound-guided peripheral intravenous cannulation should be considered for patients with DIVA who require intravenous dental sedation or other common procedures in dental surgery that involve cannulation. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Zusatzmaterial online: Zu diesem Beitrag sind unter 10.1038/s41415-022-4133-x für autorisierte Leser zusätzliche Dateien abrufbar.