Advances in regional anaesthesia: A review of current practice, newer techniques and outcomes

Abstract

Advances in ultrasound guided regional anaesthesia and introduction of newer long acting local anaesthetics have given clinicians an opportunity to apply novel approaches to block peripheral nerves with ease. Consequently, improvements in outcomes such as quality of analgesia, early rehabilitation and patient satisfaction have been observed. In this article we will review some of the newer regional anaesthetic techniques, long acting local anaesthetics and adjuvants, and discuss evidence for key outcomes such as cancer recurrence and safety with ultrasound guidance.

Keywords

• Adjuvants
• erector spinae block
• pectoral nerves block
• quadratus lumborum block
• regional anaesthesia
• transversus abdominis block
• ultrasound-guided