title: Managing pain on the battlefield: an introduction to continuous peripheral nerve blocks.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the strength of evidence supporting the battlefield use of Continual Peripheral Nerve Blocks (CPNBs).
  
  
  METHODS
  Publication review identifying 380 potentially relevant papers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  CPNBs have been well trialled and are used routinely in civilian hospitals. The procedure is not without acute and chronic complications related to agents used, catheters themselves and infection risks. These techniques are being used increasingly in military field hospitals to manage pain, however research concerning their use on the battlefield is limited and further trials are required to confidently conclude efficacy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CPNBs are just one component within military medicine of a rapidly evolving polymodal system of pain management. Common combat wounds, namely traumatic amputations, are compatible with this technique, however current evidence concerning their battlefield use is limited. Extensive UK military trials are ongoing and the results of which are expected to clarify questions regarding complication rate and efficacy.
authors.affiliation: Peninsula Medical School, Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, Cornwall. jeremy.hunter@students.pcmd.ac.uk
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Hunter
mesh_terms: D055826:Afghan Campaign 2001-; D006801:Humans; D054542:Iraq War, 2003-2011; D008887:Military Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009407:Nerve Block; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010525:Peripheral Nerves; D006113:United Kingdom; D014481:United States; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy