The efficacy of an anatomy and ultrasonography workshop on improving residents' confidence and knowledge in regional anesthesia

BACKGROUND

Ultrasound Guided Regional Anesthesia (UGRA) has become the standard for regional anesthesia practice, but there is not a standardized educational approach for training residents. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of an UGRA workshop utilizing the theoretical framework of embodied cognition for anesthesiology residents.

METHODS

A workshop was developed consisting of didactics, scanning training on standardized patients (SPs) and anatomy reviews on prosected cadavers that focused on the most common UGRA procedures for the upper and lower extremity. At the beginning of the workshop and at the end of the workshop residents completed pre-test and pre-confidence surveys, as well as post-test and post-confidence surveys, respectively to assess the impact of the workshop.

RESULTS

39 residents (100% of the possible residents) participated in the workshop in 2019. Residents' confidence in identifying relevant anatomy for the most common UGRA procedures significantly increased in 13 of the 14 measurements. Residents' knowledge gain was also statistically significant from the pre-test to post-test (20.13 ± 3.61 and 26.13 ± 2.34; p < .0001). The residents found the course overall to be very useful (4.90 ± 0.38) and in particular the cadaveric component was highly rated (4.74 ± 0.55).

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, we developed a workshop guided by the embodied cognition framework to aid in shortening the overall learning curve of UGRA for anesthesiology residents. Based on our results this workshop should be replicated by institutions that are hoping to decrease the learning curve associated with UGRA and increase residents' confidence in identifying the relevant anatomy in UGRA nerve blocks.

Clinical Application of Inferior Alveolar Nerve Block Device for Safe and Secure IANB by Any Operator

The inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) is an established technique with a success rate of 60-80%; however, large errors have been reported among operators. Some dentists do not prefer to use IANB because of the risk of complications. Nevertheless, it is a useful technique for pain control, and a secure IANB offers significant benefits to operators and patients. This case series study aimed to investigate the efficacy of the "IANB Device," a nerve block guide for IANB, and the adverse events associated with its use in clinical practice. IANB was performed using the device on five patients who had undergone detailed computed tomography examination for chronic orofacial pain in the third division of the trigeminal nerve. Lidocaine 1% (1 mL, no adrenaline added) was used as the local anesthetic. IANB was performed by three dentists with 2, 5, and 11 years of experience in orofacial pain treatment. Thus, the data were collected in triplicate for each patient. The primary endpoints were whether adjustment of the IANB device was required, changes in the sensation threshold of the lower lip, the time to disappearance of pain, the presence or absence of tongue sensation ("Do you have numbness in your tongue?": "Yes/No"), and discomfort (visual analog scale). The incidence of any other adverse events was recorded. The procedure was judged to be successful if the pain disappeared and an elevation in the sensation threshold of the lower lip was observed. Adjustment of the IANB device was not required in any patient. A significant elevation in the sensation threshold of the lower lip and the disappearance of pain were observed in all patients. Three of the five patients reported experiencing tongue numbness. Discomfort with the use of the IANB device was less than 30 mm on the visual analog scale. No notable complications were observed. The appropriate type, concentration, and dosage of the local anesthetic must be considered during general dental treatment and oral surgical procedures. Our findings suggest that the IANB device is useful for eliminating errors between operators, enhancing safety, and improving the success rate.

The effect of adjuvants added to local anaesthetics for single-injection upper extremity peripheral regional anaesthesia: A systematic review with network meta-analysis of randomised trials

BACKGROUND

Peripheral regional anaesthesia is frequently used for upper extremity surgery. To prolong the duration of analgesia, adjuvants can be added to single-injection local anaesthetics. Despite attempts to compare several adjuvants in pairwise meta-analyses, a comprehensive comparison is still missing.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this network meta-analysis was to determine the effectiveness of adjuvants in upper extremity peripheral nerve blocks.

DESIGN

A systematic review of randomised controlled trials with network meta-analyses.

DATA SOURCES

A literature search in Embase, CENTRAL, MEDLINE and Web of Science was performed up to March 2023.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Randomised trials comparing different adjuvants injected perineurally in peripheral upper extremity nerve blocks were eligible. Frequentist network meta-analysis was conducted using a random effects model with physiological saline as the comparator. The primary endpoint was the ratio of means (ROM) of the duration of analgesia.

RESULTS

The review included 242 randomised controlled trials with a total of 17 391 patients. Twenty-eight adjuvants were compared in the largest networks. Most network estimations consisted of a high proportion of direct evidence. Fourteen adjuvants increased the duration of analgesia significantly by the following factors, ROM [95% confidence interval (CI)]: dexamethasone 1.95 (1.79 to 2.13), buprenorphine 1.83 (1.51 to 2.24), butorphanol 1.84 (1.41 to 2.39), potassium chloride 1.89 (1.15 to 3.11), dexmedetomidine 1.70 (1.59 to 1.81), sufentanil 1.70 (1.27 to 2.29), ketorolac 1.68 (1.24 to 2.27), midazolam 1.55 (1.24 to 1.94), tramadol 1.52 (1.32 to 1.75), nalbuphine 1.50 (1.30 to 1.72), morphine 1.43 (1.09 to 1.88), magnesium sulfate 1.42 (1.20 to 1.67), clonidine 1.36 (1.24 to 1.50) and fentanyl 1.23 (1.08 to 1.40). Inconsistency in network meta-analysis was substantial. Overall side effect rates were low with all adjuvants.

CONCLUSION

The best interventions to prolong the duration of analgesia were dexamethasone, followed by dexmedetomidine, opioids, electrolytes, ketorolac and midazolam. There are general concerns about the quality of underlying studies and the risk of publication bias.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

PROSPERO 2018 CRD42018115722.

Regional anaesthesia for ambulatory surgery

Regional anaesthesia (RA) has an important and ever-expanding role in ambulatory surgery. Specific practices vary depending on the preferences and resources of the anaesthesia team and hospital setting. It is used for various purposes, including as primary anaesthetic technique for surgery but also as postoperative analgesic modality. The limited duration of action of currently available local anaesthetics limits their application in postoperative pain control and enhanced recovery. The search for the holy grail of regional anaesthetics continues. Current evidence suggests that a peripheral nerve block performed with long-acting local anaesthetics in combination with intravenous or perineural dexamethasone gives the longest and most optimal sensory block. In this review, we outline some possible blocks for ambulatory surgery and additives to perform RA. Moreover, we give an update on local anaesthesia drugs and adjuvants, paediatric RA in ambulatory care and discuss the impact of RA by COVID-19.

Outcomes for 41 260 pediatric surgical patients with opioid-free anesthesia: One center's experience

BACKGROUND

Opioid use is common and associated with side effects and risks. Consequently, analgesic strategies to reduce opioid utilization have been developed. Regional anesthesia and multimodal strategies are central tenets of enhanced recovery pathways and facilitate reduced perioperative opioid use. Opioid-free anesthesia (OFA) protocols eliminate all intraoperative opioids, reserving opioids for postoperative rescue treatment. Systematic reviews show variable results for OFA.

METHODS

In a series of Quality Improvement (QI) projects, multidisciplinary teams developed interventions to test and spread OFA first in our ambulatory surgery center (ASC) and then in our hospital. Outcome measures were tracked using statistical process control charts to increase the adoption of OFA.

RESULTS

Between January 1, 2016, and September 30, 2022, 19 872 of 28 574 ASC patients received OFA, increasing from 30% to 98%. Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) maximum pain score, opioid-rescue rate, and postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) treatment all decreased concomitantly. The use of OFA now represents our ambulatory standard practice. Over the same timeframe, the spread of this practice to our hospital led to 21 388 of 64 859 patients undergoing select procedures with OFA, increasing from 15% to 60%. Opioid rescue rate and PONV treatment in PACU decreased while hospital maximum pain scores and length of stay were stable. Two procedural examples with OFA benefits were identified. The use of OFA allowed relaxation of adenotonsillectomy admission criteria, resulting in 52 hospital patient days saved. Transition to OFA for laparoscopic appendectomy occurred concomitantly with a decrease in the mean hospital length of stay from 2.9 to 1.4 days, representing a savings of >500 hospital patient days/year.

CONCLUSIONS

These QI projects demonstrated that most pediatric ambulatory and select inpatient surgeries are amenable to OFA techniques which may reduce PONV without worsening pain.

Total joint replacement in ambulatory surgery

Total joint arthroplasty is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures in the United States, and projected numbers are expected to double in the next ten years. From 2018 to 2020, total hip and knee arthroplasty were removed from the United States' Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services "inpatient-only" list, accelerating this migration to the ambulatory setting. Appropriate patient selection, including age, body mass index, comorbidities, and adequate social support, is critical for successful ambulatory total joint arthroplasty. General anesthesia and neuraxial anesthesia are both safe and effective anesthetic choices, and recent studies in this population have found no difference in outcomes. Multimodal analgesia, including acetaminophen, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, local infiltration analgesia, and peripheral nerve blocks, is the foundation for adequate pain control. Common reasons for "failure to launch" include postoperative urinary retention, postoperative nausea and vomiting, inadequate analgesia, and hypotension.

Augmented reality in ultrasound-guided regional anaesthesia: useful tool or expensive toy?

Use of augmented reality is increasingly applied in medical education and practice. The main advantage of this technology is the display of relevant information in the visual field of multiple operators. Here we provide a critical analysis of the potential application of augmented reality in regional anaesthesia.

Outcome of Mini-PCNL Under Loco-Regional Anesthesia: Outcomes of a Systematic Review

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Miniaturized PCNL (mi-PCNL) for stone disease is performed under a general anesthesia. However, the role of loco-regional anesthesia in mi-PCNL and its outcomes are not well defined yet. Here, we review the outcomes and complications of loco-regional anesthesia for mi-PCNL. A Cochrane-style review was performed in accordance with the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews to evaluate the outcomes of loco-reginal anesthesia for URS in stone disease, including all English language articles from January 1980 and October 2021.

RECENT FINDINGS

Ten studies with a total of 1663 patients underwent mi-PCNL under loco-regional anesthesia. The stone-free rate (SFR) for mi-PCNL under neuro-axial anesthesia ranged between 88.3 and 93.6%, while it ranged between 85.7 and 93.3% for mi-PCNL under local anesthesia (LA). The conversion rate to another anesthesia modality was 0.5%. The complications ranged widely between 3.3 and 85.7%. The majority were Grade I-II complications and none of the patients had grade V complications. Our review shows that mi-PCNL under loco-regional anesthesia is feasible with good SFR and a low risk of major complications. The conversion to general anesthesia is needed in a small minority, with the procedure itself being well tolerated and a big step towards establishing an ambulatory pathway for these patients.

Current Trends and Future Directions for Outpatient Total Joint Arthroplasty: A Review of the Anesthesia Choices and Analgesic Options

The aging population and the obesity epidemic have led to an increased rate of joint arthroplasty procedures, specifically total knee arthroplasty and total hip arthroplasty. These surgeries are associated with increased hospital length of stay and, consequently, higher costs. Despite the benefits of outpatient surgery, only a small percentage of total joint arthroplasties (TJAs) are done in this manner. We reviewed the most up-to-date trends for outpatient TJA and discussed essential factors for a successful outpatient program, including the proper patient selection process and best available anesthetic and analgesic options, along with their risks and benefits. Risk stratification tools, such as the Outpatient Arthroplasty Risk Assessment, are helpful for predicting outcomes regarding outpatient TJA, and neuraxial anesthesia should be considered to minimize complications and facilitate early discharge. A multimodal analgesia regimen could be effective for pain management in outpatient TJA, and the currently recommended peripheral nerve blocks for total hip arthroplasty and total knee arthroplasty are the fascia iliaca compartment block and adductor canal block, respectively. However, blocks should be carefully considered for outpatient procedures. Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols help to guide perioperative care teams and allow for improved patient recovery, decreased length of stay, and increased patient satisfaction.

Ultrasound-Guided Suprascapular Nerve Block at Suprascapular Notch-Do We Really Target Suprascapular Notch or Not? Where Is Our Real Target?

Ultrasound (US)-guided suprascapular nerve block (SSNB) is a widely used procedure and while describing the US-guided SSNB in the suprascapular notch, the suprascapular fossa is often visualized and injection is performed in that location. Although it can be done in both location, to inject the right area, the terminology should be settled and the visualization of these areas which are unclear and confusing in the literature should be clarified. In this sense, we showed the course of the nerve on a cadaver and briefly describe a protocol to correctly visualize the suprascapular notch with US.

Racial and Ethnic Differences in the Use of Regional Anesthesia for Patients Undergoing Total Knee Arthroplasty

BACKGROUND

There is an increasing body of evidence that suggests racial and ethnic disparities exist in medical care. In the field of anesthesiology, few studies have investigated the association of race and ethnicity with the provision of regional anesthesia for patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty. This analysis queried a large national surgical database to determine whether there were racial or ethnic differences in the administration of peripheral nerve blocks for patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty.

METHODS

In this retrospective cohort study, data were collected from a large national database during the years 2017-2019. Multivariable logistic regressions were used to measure the association of race and ethnicity with utilization of regional anesthesia. The participants for the study were patients 18 years or older undergoing total knee arthroplasty.

RESULTS

Our primary finding was that among patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty, Black patients had lower odds (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 0.93, 99% confidence interval [CI]: 0.89-0.98) of receiving regional anesthesia than White patients. Also, Hispanic patients had lower odds (aOR: 0.88, 99% CI: 0.83-0.94) of receiving regional anesthesia than non-Hispanic patients. Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander patients had increased odds (aOR: 2.04, 99% CI: 1.66-2.51) of receiving regional anesthesia.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that there might be racial and ethnic differences in the provision of regional anesthesia for patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty. These differences underscore the need for more studies aimed at equitable access to high quality and culturally competent health care.

WAFER trial: a study protocol for a feasibility randomised controlled trial comparing wide-awake local anaesthesia no tourniquet (WALANT) to general and regional anaesthesia with tourniquet for flexor tendon repair

INTRODUCTION

Flexor tendons are traditionally repaired under either general anaesthesia (GA) or regional anaesthesia (RA), allowing for the use of an arm tourniquet to minimise blood loss and establish a bloodless surgical field. However, the use of tourniquets exposes the patient to certain risks, including skin, muscle and nerve injuries. A recent advancement in anaesthesia delivery involves the use of a wide-awake approach where no sedation nor tourniquets are used (wide-awake local anaesthesia no tourniquet (WALANT)). WALANT uses local anaesthetic with epinephrine to provide pain relief and vasoconstriction, reducing operative bleeding. Several studies revealed potential benefits for WALANT compared with GA or RA. However, there remains a paucity of high-quality evidence to support the use of WALANT. As a result of this uncertainty, the clinical practice varies considerably. We aim to evaluate the feasibility of WALANT as an alternative to GA and RA in patients undergoing surgical repair of flexor tendon injuries. This involves addressing factors such as clinician and patient support for a trial, clinical equipoise, trial recruitment and dropout and the most relevant outcomes measures for a future definitive trial.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

WAFER is a multicentre, single-blinded, parallel group, randomised controlled trial (RCT) to assess the feasibility of WALANT versus RA and GA. The target population is patients with acute traumatic flexor tendon injuries, across 3 major hand surgery units in England involving a total of 60 participants. Outcome assessors will be blinded. The primary outcome will be the ability to recruit patients into the trial, while secondary outcomes include difference in functional outcome, patient-reported outcome measures, health-related quality of life, cost-effectiveness and complication rates.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethical approval was obtained from the London-City and East Research Ethics Committee (22/PR/1197). Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publication, conferences, patient information websites and social media networks.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ISRCTN identifier: 15052559.

Impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on postoperative complications of patients undergoing surgery after general outbreak in China: a protocol for multicentre prospective cohort study

INTRODUCTION

There is currently limited evidence addressing perioperative prognosis of surgical patients during COVID-19 pandemic; especially targeting on the Chinese population since the wave in 2022. Considering a distinct feature from the rest of the world demonstrated and the fast mutation and spread of the virus, evidence most relevant to China is urgently in need. The objective of this study is to seek for supporting evidence via evidence-based risk evaluations for postoperative complications to accumulate experience for coming infection waves.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This protocol proposes a multicentral, prospective, observational cohort study aiming to explore the link between SARS-CoV-2 infection and postoperative complications among surgical patients under general or regional anaesthesia between 16 January 2023 and 31 December 2023. A retrospective cohort covering the same period in 2019 is extracted for historic reference. Data are extracted from the health information system and anaesthesia information management system. The COVID-19 information is collected via an online survey. Missing values in weight or height will be imputed by each other with age and gender via multiple imputation. Other missing values will not be handled specially. Standard descriptive statistics will be reported followed by statistical modelling. Binomial regression with logit link is used for binary outcome. The time-to-event outcome is analysed using Cox regression with discharge from hospital further treated as a competing state. Hierarchical models will be assessed to account for temporal or central random effects. Temporal trends will be displayed with future expectations.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethical approval is obtained from the ethical committee in Xijing Hospital (No. KY20232002-C-1); approvals are expected for each participating institute. Verbal consent will be informed and obtained prior to online survey collection. Personal information remains confidential, and publications will be deidentified.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT05677815.

Acute pain service reduces barriers to buprenorphine/naloxone initiation by using regional anesthesia techniques

BACKGROUND

Medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) are a life-saving intervention; thus, it is important to address barriers to successful initiation. Spasticity affects many patients with spinal cord injury and can be painful and physically debilitating. Chronic painful conditions can lead to the illicit use of non-prescribed opioids, but fear of pain is a barrier to the initiation of MOUD. In this case report, we describe the novel use of botulinum toxin A injections to treat abdominal spasticity and facilitate Acute Pain Service-led buprenorphine/naloxone initiation in a patient with opioid use disorder and severe abdominal spasticity due to spinal cord injury.

CASE PRESENTATION

A patient with C4 incomplete tetraplegia and opioid use disorder complicated by abdominal spasticity refractory to oral antispasmodics and self-treating with intravenous heroin was referred to the Acute Pain Service for inpatient buprenorphine/naloxone initiation. The patient began to fail initiation of buprenorphine/naloxone secondary to increased pain from abdominal spasms. The patient was offered ultrasound-guided abdominal muscle chemodenervation with botulinum toxin A, which resulted in the resolution of abdominal spasticity and facilitated successful buprenorphine/naloxone initiation. At 6 months post-initiation, the patient remained abstinent from non-prescribed opioids and compliant with buprenorphine/naloxone 8 mg/2 mg three times a day.

CONCLUSIONS

This case report demonstrates that inpatient buprenorphine/naloxone initiation by an Acute Pain Service can improve the success of treatment by addressing barriers to initiation. Acute Pain Service clinicians possess unique skills and knowledge, including ultrasound-guided interventions, that enable them to provide innovative and personalized approaches to care in the complex opioid use disorder population.

Relative efficacy and safety of several regional analgesic techniques following thoracic surgery: a network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

This network meta-analysis was performed to assess the relative efficacy and safety of various regional analgesic techniques used in thoracic surgery.

MATERIALSAND METHODS

Randomized controlled trials evaluating different regional analgesic methods were retrieved from databases, including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library, from inception to March 2021. The surface under the cumulative ranking curve) was estimated to rank the therapies based on the Bayesian theorem. Moreover, sensitivity and subgroup analyses were performed on the primary outcomes to obtain more reliable conclusions.

RESULTS

Fifty-four trials (3360 patients) containing six different methods were included. Thoracic paravertebral block and erector spinae plane block (ESPB) were ranked the highest in reducing postoperative pain. As for total adverse reactions and postoperative nausea and vomiting, postoperative complications, and duration of hospitalization, ESPB was found to be superior to other methods. It should be noted that there were few differences between various methods for all outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Available evidence suggests that ESPB might be the most effective and safest method for relieving pain after thoracic surgery, shortening the length of hospital stay and reducing the incidence of postoperative complications.

A Novel Experience Of Ultrasound-Guided Erector Spinae Plane Block With Sedation In Breast Cancer Surgery: A Case Report

We report the anaesthetic management of a breast cancer patient, at a high risk for undergoing general anaesthesia, using a single-shot ultrasound-guided Erector Spinae Plane Block (ESPB) with monitored sedation. Targetted at T4, 20 mL of 0.375% bupivacaine provided complete surgical anaesthesia in 15 minutes. Concurrent sedation was administered with target controlled infusion of propofol with entropy monitoring throughout the procedure. The surgery lasted 90 minutes and the patient remained pain free and haemodynamically stable throughout. At the end of the surgery, the patient received 1 g of paracetamol intravenously, and did not require any further analgesics other than routinely administered paracetamol until her discharge from the hospital. On top of the successful execution of our plan, this case was especially interesting as her postoperative analgesia remained completely opioid-free.

The safety and efficacy of ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block in postoperative analgesic of PCNL: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The patients received percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) with severe postoperative pain and discomfort. The erector spinae plane block (ESPB), as a new anesthesia method of plane block, has a positive effect on postoperative analgesia. But evidence of ESPB in PCNL is still lacking. The objective of this study was to systematically analyze the postoperative analgesic effect of ESPB in patients receiving PCNL.

METHODS

The literature searching was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library and Clinical Trial Database (clinicaltrials.gov). Two independent researchers screened the included studies and extracted data. Meta-analysis was conducted by using the random-effect model with 95% confidence intervals. Chi-squared test with a significance level of 0.1 was utilized to evaluate the heterogeneity of included studies. The subgroup analysis and meta-regression analysis were conducted in studies with high heterogeneity. The publication bias was assessed based on whether there were discrepancies between prospective trial registration and reported protocols.

RESULTS

There were 8 studies involving 456 patients assessing the efficacy of ESPB in reducing postoperative pain score of PCNL compared with no block or other blocks, such as subcutaneous infiltration, general anesthesia or TPVB intrathecal morphine. ESPB was a significantly effective and safe anesthesia method, which not only improved postoperative pain response (MD -1.76; 95% CI -2.57 to -0.94; I 2 = 85%; p<0.01), but also reduced analgesic consumption (MD -16.92; 95% CI -26.25 to -7.59; I 2 = 92.2%; p<0.01) and prolonged the time of first request for postoperative analgesia (MD 93.27; 95% CI 35.79 to 150.75; I 2 = 85.3%; p = 0.001) in patients receiving PCNL without significant postoperative complications (MD 0.80; 95% CI 0.31 to 2.03; I 2 = 0%; p = 0.404).

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with no block or other blocks, the ESPB was a safe and effective anesthesia for patients receiving PCNL.

Ultrasound-Guided Maxillary Nerve Block and Superficial Cervical Plexus Block During Surgery for Maxillary Malignancy: A Case Report

We report a case of ultrasound-guided craniocervical nerve blocks performed with ropivacaine for perioperative local/regional anesthesia in a patient who underwent right partial maxillary resection and neck dissection under general anesthesia. The patient was an 85-year-old woman with multiple medical comorbidities in whom analgesia using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and opioids was expected to increase the risk of postoperative complications. Bilateral ultrasound-guided maxillary (V2) nerve blocks and a right superficial cervical plexus block were performed, which provided adequate perioperative anesthesia and avoided postoperative complications. The use of ultrasound-guided craniocervical nerve blocks with ropivacaine can be an effective approach for providing prolonged perioperative local anesthesia and analgesia, minimizing the need for other potentially problematic analgesics.

Regional anesthesia as part of enhanced recovery strategies in pediatric cardiac surgery

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The purpose of this review article was to highlight the enhanced recovery protocols in pediatric cardiac surgery, including early extubation, rapid mobilization and recovery, reduction of opioid-related side effects, and length of pediatric ICU and hospital stay, resulting in decreased costs and perioperative morbidity, by introducing recent trends in perioperative anesthesia management combined with peripheral nerve blocks.

RECENT FINDINGS

Efficient postoperative pain relief is essential for realizing enhanced recovery strategies, especially in pediatric patients. It has been reported that approaches to perioperative pain management using additional peripheral nerve blocks ensure early extubation and a shorter duration of ICU and hospital stay. This article provides an overview of several feasible musculofascial plane blocks to achieve fast-track anesthesia management for pediatric cardiac surgery.

SUMMARY

Recent remarkable advances in combined ultrasound techniques have made it possible to perform various peripheral nerve blocks. The major strategy underlying fast-track anesthesia management is to achieve good analgesia while reducing perioperative opioid use. Furthermore, it is important to consider early extubation not only as a competition for time to extubation but also as the culmination of a qualitative improvement in the outcome of treatment for each patient.

Erector spinae plane block: the ultimate 'plan A' block?

The erector spinae plane block (ESPB) is one of seven 'Plan A' blocks proposed by Regional Anaesthesia UK, covering the key areas of commonly encountered surgeries and acute pain. Unlike the other six blocks, the ESPB can be performed at all levels of the spine and provides analgesia to most regions of the body, leading to the argument that the ESPB is the ultimate Plan A block. Current studies show a high level of evidence supporting use in thoracoabdominal surgery but a lack of benefit in upper and lower limb surgery compared with local infiltration and other Plan A blocks. Thus, there is insufficient evidence to support the claim that the erector spinae plane block is the ultimate Plan A block.