Continuous Peripheral Catheters/Regional Anesthesia in Postoperative Pain Management

Abstract

As the number of surgical procedures has increased worldwide, so has the need for safe and effective postoperative pain control. Regional anesthesia, in which a provider uses local anesthesia and potentially other medications to provide anesthesia by focusing on blocking sensation at the surgical site, has become an important part of the postoperative pain regimen, thereby improving outcomes and comfort. Regional anesthesia plays a critical and significant role with regard to preemptive analgesia and multimodal anesthetic techniques. With the widespread use of ultrasonography and the introduction of peripheral nerve catheters, regional anesthesia has grown in its ability to provide longer-lasting, safe, and targeted pain control. Extended-relief lipid emulsion bupivacaine is another example of recent developments in drug technology that will further aid regional anesthesia delivery in the future. This review contains 5 figures, 4 tables, and 23 references.