Perioperative regional anesthesia reduces acute postoperative pain and decreases prolonged opioid use and chronic postoperative pain at 3 and 6 months after surgery. A systematic review and meta-analysis of 37 trials involving 4948 adults undergoing elective noncardiac surgeries found that regional anesthesia led to decreased opioid use and chronic pain. It also reduced opioid consumption at 24 and 48 hours post-surgery and improved acute postoperative pain scores. However, there was an increase in hypotension with neuraxial regional anesthesia. The study emphasizes the potential of regional anesthesia in reducing prolonged opioid use and highlights the need for more large randomized controlled trials in this area.
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Perioperative Regional Anesthesia: Less Pain, Fewer Pills
