Abstract
The application of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in clinical anesthesia practice is becoming well established. In this narrative review, we discuss the perioperative use of POCUS beyond venous access and regional anesthesia techniques in patients scheduled to undergo repair of hip or femur fractures.
POCUS has gained widespread value in the evaluation of various organs and systems including the stomach, lungs and heart due to its simplicity, availability, safety, and capacity to provide important information to clinicians. Hip and femur fractures are relatively common, with a prevalence that increases over age 75. By default, this population is associated with a high rate of comorbidities. Early fixation of these fractures can reduce the risk of complications, shorten hospital stay, and reduce cost. In this scenario, a comprehensive preoperative patient evaluation is not always feasible. Therefore, POCUS emerges as a valuable tool. In this narrative review, the multiples ways that POCUS can be used are explored including the most common findings and it’s implications in clinical practice. Our goal is to show how the application of this technique can guide the management of hip or femur fractures to possibly obtain a better outcome.