Peripheral nerve blockade

Peripheral nerve blockade can be an excellent addition or alternative to general anesthesia for many surgical procedures. Regional anesthesia provides optimal surgical conditions of sensory and motor blockade without significantly disrupting autonomic function. Single-shot blocks can provide prolonged postoperative analgesia for up to 24 hours, while continuous catheter techniques can provide analgesia for days. The benefits of regional anesthesia include patient satisfaction, faster initial recovery, and the ability to avoid general anesthesia if desired.