Basis of Dr. Urits's opinions on this topic. Dr. Urits is board certified in Anesthesiology and in Pain Medicine by the American Board of Anesthesiology. His opinions about anesthesia care rest on his anesthesia residency at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center / Harvard Medical School, his board certification in Anesthesiology, and his published research. Retaining counsel should confirm expert qualifications under the rules of their jurisdiction.

Regional anesthesia is where Dr. Urits's two specialties meet. He has written comprehensive reviews of upper extremity and truncal regional anesthesia, published extensively on fascial plane blocks and block adjuvants, and taught ultrasound-guided regional techniques, including as an instructor in a Harvard Medical School CME course and in resident workshops. (See the full list of Regional Anesthesia Techniques Reviewed on the Expert Services page.)

Common issues

• Indications for a block and choice of technique (peripheral, fascial plane, or neuraxial)

• Ultrasound guidance, needle technique, and documentation

• Alleged nerve injury after a block, and distinguishing it from surgical, positioning, or tourniquet causes

• Local anesthetic dosing, adjuvants, and local anesthetic systemic toxicity (LAST)

• Neuraxial anesthesia in patients with low platelets or on anticoagulants, and spinal or epidural hematoma

• Post-dural puncture headache after spinal or epidural anesthesia

• Review of blocks performed by anesthesiologists and by nurse anesthetists (CRNAs)

Relevant publications by Dr. Urits

• Jones MR, Novitch MB, Sen S, Hernandez N, De Haan JB, Budish RA, Bailey CH, Ragusa J, Thakur P, Orhurhu V, Urits I, Cornett EM, Kaye AD. Upper extremity regional anesthesia techniques: A comprehensive review for clinical anesthesiologists. Best Pract Res Clin Anaesthesiol. 2020.

• Urits I, Ostling PS, Novitch MB, et al. Truncal regional nerve blocks in clinical anesthesia practice. Best Pract Res Clin Anaesthesiol. 2019.

• Urits I, Virgen CG, Alattar H, et al. A Comprehensive Review and Update of the Use of Dexmedetomidine for Regional Blocks. Psychopharmacol Bull. 2020.

• Chaudhary O, Baribeau Y, Urits I, et al. Use of Erector Spinae Plane Block in Thoracic Surgery Leads to Rapid Recovery From Anesthesia. Ann Thorac Surg. 2020.

• Herman JA, Urits I, Kaye AD, Urman RD, Viswanath O. Thrombocytopenia and neuraxial anesthesia: Are there platelet count thresholds? J Clin Anesth. 2020.

• Hasegawa M, Singh D, Urits I, et al. Review on Nerve Blocks Utilized for Perioperative Total Knee Arthroplasty Analgesia. Orthop Rev (Pavia). 2022.

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