Longitudinal neural exposure to local anesthetic and nerve block duration: a retrospective analysis of experimental data from healthy volunteer trials

What is it about?

Peripheral nerve blockades are highly effective to relieve pain but depend upon adequate distribution of local anesthetic in close relation to the target nerve(s). We describe the longitudinal distribution of local anesthetic in relation to the common peroneal nerve and its influence on block duration. We found a correlation between the longitudinal distribution of local anesthetic and block duration. We therefore propose that physicians performing peripheral nerve blockades should use the longitudinal distribution of local anesthetic as a point-of-care evaluation of their nerve blocks. This parameter is easily accessible as it is provided in real time with ultrasound during and right after the blockade procedure.

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