Does regional anesthesia improve outcome after surgery?
The benefits and complications associated with regional anesthesia are assessed on the basis of a review of the recent literature. Benefits are separately considered as: (1) effects on hospital discharge; (2) effects on pulmonary function; (3) cardiac benefits; (4) effects on ambulation; (5) effects on metabolic stress responses; and (6) the preemptive effect. Complications reviewed are those of recent interest, and include epidural hematoma in association with anticoagulant therapy, and neural toxicity in association with high-dose local anesthetic.
Ballantyne
J
J
MGH Pain Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA.