Background: Ultrasound is widely used in vascular surgery. Pocket-sized ultrasound devices have limited functionality compared to conventional ultrasound scanners, but are cheaper and highly portable. The aim of this study was to investigate whether vascular surgeons could benefit from using a pocket ultrasound device in everyday clinical practice.
Material and method: Pocket-sized ultrasound devices were made available in the Department of Vascular Surgery at St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, for a 10-month period. Eleven doctors participated and were free to choose between a conventional ultrasound scanner and a pocket ultrasound device. After each use of a pocket ultrasound device, participants completed a form describing the indication for use, whether the clinical question was answered, the image quality experienced and the need for supplementary diagnostic imaging. At the end of the study period, each user completed a questionnaire.
Results: Pocket ultrasound devices were mainly used preoperatively. The clinical question was answered in 51 (85 %) of 60 registered examinations with a pocket ultrasound device. Image quality was subjectively rated as good in 32 (53 %) examinations, moderate in 21 (35 %) and poor in 7 (12 %), with the clinical question answered in 94 %, 90 % and 29 % of cases, respectively. Doctors with less than five years of experience with ultrasound chose pocket ultrasound more frequently than more experienced users.
Interpretation: For the examinations selected, the images supplied by the pocket ultrasound device were generally of sufficient quality and often answered the clinical question. Pocket ultrasound devices can be a useful supplementary tool in vascular surgery, especially for venous examinations.