Minimising complications and improving the success of peripheral regional blockade

What is it about?

The use of local anaesthetics in peripheral regional nerve blocks extends far beyond providing anaesthesia and analgesia for patients who are undergoing surgical procedures. When used appropriately, peripheral nerve blocks may also help to reduce opioid side effects and functional impairments that are relating to pain following major skeletal trauma. In this article, we would like to share with all hospital clinicians some routine practice that anaesthetists adapt to maximise success and minimise harm (eg accidental intraneural injection or, more seriously so, performing a wrong-sided block) while performing the peripheral nerve blocks. We would also like to raise awareness of some important clinical sciences and classifications relating to peripheral nerve injuries, and a joint association protocol that is available online for the initial management of unexpected or persistent neurological dysfunction following peripheral nerve blocks.

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Photo by Stanley Dai on Unsplash

Photo by Stanley Dai on Unsplash