Regional anesthesia in the emergency department outside the operating theatre

Abstract

Purpose of review Moderate to severe pain is common and remains a significant problem in the emergency department and regional anesthesia provides optimal and safe pain relief. This review aims to discuss the benefits, indications of the most common ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia techniques that can be provided by clinicians in the emergency department as part of multimodal analgesia. We will also comment on the education and training for effective and safe ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia in the emergency department. Recent findings The emergence of multiple new fascial plane blocks that provide easier to learn alternatives, yet effective analgesia for specific patient groups can now safely be taught and utilized in the emergency department. Summary Emergency physicians are perfectly placed to utilize the advantages of ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia. Various techniques can now be employed to cover most of the painful injuries presenting to the emergency department, thus modifying the morbidity and outcomes of emergency patients. Some of the new techniques require minimal training, provide safe and effective pain relief with low risk of complications. Ultrasound-guided regional anesthetic techniques should form an integral part of the curriculum of emergency department physicians.

Periphere Regionalanästhesieverfahren – Standards im Wandel?!

“…Sie werden aber voraussichtlich Bestandteil der zukünftigen S2 k-Leitlinie zur Katastrophenmedizin sein [31]. Für die Thematik präklinischer und innerklinischer präoperativer Regionalanästhesie sei auf aktuelle Übersichtsarbeiten im Literaturverzeichnis verwiesen, die das komplexe Thema detailliert beleuchten [31,32].…”

“…Übersichtsarbeiten zum Thema empfohlen, die mögliche Indikationen, aber auch grundlegende Rahmenbedingungen zu Blockaden in der Notaufnahme diskutieren [31,32].…”