**10. Research opportunities**

There is a wealth of opportunity for further research in this area. Regional anaesthesia in some respects is in its infancy in understanding and manipulating tissue planes. Ultrasound allows novel tissue plane targets to emerge and the challenge is to fit these new techniques into practice in a scientifically sound fashion. Now more than ever we are required to learn anatomy from a different perspective; what nerve/s innervate this area/region? how do they get there? where can I access them? does this raise safety issues, and how are these overcome? how will the tissues spread the fluid I inject? are there potential complications from this? how do I answer these questions in a scientifically meaningful fashion? do I need to create a new technique when one already exists for my purposes?

I would venture to suggest that after the initial idea comes thoughtful reading, basic science preparation and careful analysis. This is all before consideration is given to conducting randomised controlled trials.
