Ambulatory continuous perineural infusion: are we ready?

Abstract

Director of Regional Anesthesia and of the International Regional Anesthesia Research CenterProfessor; Department of Anesthesiology; University of Texas Medical School at Houston; Houston, TX; Jacques.E.Chelly@uth.tmc.eduAssistant Professor; Department of Anesthesiology; University of Texas Medical School at Houston; Houston, TexasVisiting Professor; Department of Anesthesiology; University of Texas Health Science Center-Houston; Houston, TexasTo the Editor:—Klein et al. 1recently presented two cases of continuous perineural infusion of local anesthetics for the treatment of prolonged postoperative pain in an ambulatory setting. These cases deserve the following comments.In our opinion, the appropriate approach for ambulatory perineural infusion should include the use of an electronic pump with patient-controlled analgesia and, most importantly, close monitoring of the patient by a trained professional.