Examination Syllabus Stage 2

Published: 22/10/2024

Regional Anaesthesia (RA)

2_RA_A: Performs ultrasound-guided brachial plexus blocks

2_RA_A_1 Anatomy and sonoanatomy of the brachial plexus
2_RA_A_2 Use and complications of upper limb blocks
2_RA_A_3 Pharmacology of local anaesthetic drugs and adjuvants and their clinical applications


2_RA_B: Performs ultrasound-guided fascial plane blocks for the chest or abdominal wall

2_RA_B_1

Chest wall fascial plane block techniques including relevant sonoanatomy, indications and complications

 

2_RA_B_2

Analgesia for rib fractures including anatomy and sonoanatomy of erector spinae, paravertebral and serratus anterior blocks and use of thoracic epidural

 

2_RA_B_3

Abdominal wall fascial plane block techniques including relevant sonoanatomy, indications and complications e.g. rectus sheath, TAP and quadratus lumborum

 

2_RA_B_4 Blocks for lower abdominal/urological surgery including inguinal, penile, caudal and pudendal nerve blocks


2_RA_C: Demonstrates how to achieve an optimal ultrasound image and recognises common ultrasound artefacts

2_RA_C_1 Basic principles of ultrasound and its application
2_RA_C_2 Advantages of ultrasound-guided blocks


2_RA_D: Describes ophthalmic blocks for patients undergoing awake ophthalmic surgery

2_RA_D_1 Applied anatomy required for insertion of local anaesthetic blocks for ophthalmic surgery
2_RA_D_2

Techniques of local anaesthesia available for ophthalmic surgery including their advantages, disadvantages and indications with particular reference to:
•      Topical anaesthesia: local anaesthesia drops

•      Sub-tenon’s block
•      Principles of needle blocks: extraconal [peribulbar] and intraconal [retrobulbar] injections
  

2_RA_D_3 The oculo-cardiac reflex, its treatment and prevention
2_RA_D_4 The physiological mechanisms which control intraocular pressure
2_RA_D_5 The pharmacology of drugs used to reduce intraocular pressure


2_RA_E: Involves the patient in planning and understanding potential complications of regional anaesthesia

2_RA_E_1 The indications and contraindications for regional anaesthesia and peripheral nerve blocks in multiply injured patients for analgesia, both initially and perioperatively
2_RA_E_2

Anatomy and sonoanatomy of lower limb blocks. Use and complications of these blocks including but not exclusively fascia-iliaca, and peri-capsular nerve groups (PENG)

 

2_RA_E_3

Advantages and disadvantages, techniques and complications (including their management) of a wide variety of blocks including, but not exclusively:
·       peripheral blocks of the limbs
·       some cranial nerve blocks
·       blocks used to treat chronic pain conditions

·       central neuraxial blockade

2_RA_E_4 Anatomy and sonoanatomy for awake carotid endarterectomy, including superficial, intermediate and deep cervical plexus blocks. Contraindications and complications of these procedures.
2_RA_E_5 The choice of local anaesthetic agents, opioids, and other additives and techniques of administration including but not limited to:
·       hydrodissection
·       spread of local anaesthetic along fascial planes
·       regular aspiration to avoid intravascular placement
2_RA_E_6 Management of regional blocks in children including but not exclusively caudal, epidural, spinal, penile, ilioinguinal and TAP blocks
2_RA_E_7 Best practices for safety and quality in regional anaesthesia