Regional anesthesia practice in China: a survey.
OBJECTIVE
Neuraxial anesthesia has been widely used in China. Recently, Chinese anesthesiologists have applied nerve stimulator and ultrasound guidance for peripheral nerve blocks. Nationwide surveys about regional anesthesia practices in China are lacking. We surveyed Chinese anesthesiologists about regional anesthesia techniques, preference, drug selections, complications, and treatments.


METHODS
A survey was sent to all anesthesiologist members by WeChat. The respondents can choose mobile device or desktop to complete the survey. Each IP address is allowed to complete the survey once.


RESULTS
A total of 6589 members read invitations. A total of 2654 responses were received with fully completed questionnaires, which represented an overall response rate of 40%. Forty-one percent of the respondents reported that more than 50% of surgeries in their hospitals were done under regional anesthesia. Most of the participants used test dose after epidural catheter insertion. The most common drug for test dose was 3-mL 1.5% lidocaine; 2.6% of the participants reported that they had treated a patient with epidural hematoma after neuraxial anesthesia. Most anesthesiologists (68.2%) performed peripheral nerve blocks as blind procedures based on the knowledge of anatomical landmarks. A majority of hospitals (80%) did not stock Intralipid; 61% of the respondents did not receive peripheral nerve block training.


CONCLUSIONS
The current survey can serve as a benchmark for future comparisons and evaluation of regional anesthesia practices in China. This survey revealed potential regional anesthesia safety issues in China.
Anesthesiologists of Greater Orlando & University of Central Florida, 2699 Lee Rd, Suite 510, Winter Park, FL 32789. Electronic address: jeffreyhuangmd@gmail.com.
Jeffrey
J
Huang
Department of Anesthesiology, Fangcheng County Hospital, Henan, China.
Huan
H
Gao
D000765:Anesthesia, Conduction / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods*; D000072080:Anesthesiologists; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D057785:Catheters; D002681:China; D004655:Emulsions / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000600:supply & distribution; D046748:Hematoma, Epidural, Spinal / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000187:drug effects*; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000600:supply & distribution; D013024:Soybean Oil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000600:supply & distribution; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D004655:Emulsions; D010743:Phospholipids; C545823:soybean oil, phospholipid emulsion; D013024:Soybean Oil; D008012:Lidocaine
Regional anesthesia; Safety; Survey; Training