Why the study?
Does regional anesthesia improve outcome after surgery?
Does regional anesthesia improve outcome after surgery?
This review summarizes the benefits and complications of regional anesthesia after surgery, highlighting effects on recovery and specific risks like epidural hematoma and neural toxicity.
May support regional anesthesia for faster recovery; leaves open net benefit confirmation in large RCTs.
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.
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Jane C. Ballantyne (1999) studied this question.
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