Physiologic Advantages of Peripheral Nerve Blockade Translate to Decreased Length of Stay and Improved Patient Satisfaction

Abstract

Peripheral nerve blockade is an effective modality involved in controlling perioperative pain. When compared with patient controlled analgesia, neuraxial analgesia, and other anesthetic methods such as periarticular infiltration, peripheral nerve blocks yield superior pain control and reduce length of hospitalization. Not only do these techniques help with patient satisfaction and health care costs, they also have physiologic advantages. In murine models, peripheral nerve blockade reduces expression of different inflammatory markers such as IL-1, IL-6, TNFα and cortisol. Such advantages make this an attractive modality for pain control.