VIDEO: Peripheral nerve blocks benefit older, healthier patients undergoing TJA
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Key takeaways:
- Older patients with no comorbidities may benefit the most from a peripheral nerve block prior to total joint arthroplasty.
- Surgeons may consider alternatives to regional anesthesia in these patients.
In this video, Stavros G. Memtsoudis, MD, PhD, MBA, FCCP, discussed the use of peripheral nerve blocks for older patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty.
“We found that it was the healthier patients – specifically the older, healthier patients – that derive the most benefit from a peripheral nerve block, which is a bit surprising,” he said. “We do know peripheral nerve blocks can improve pain control and perhaps [a patient’s] ability to participate in a rehabilitation program, but in terms of complications, it might be too naïve to believe that peripheral nerve blocks will have a major impact in the trajectory of these patients,” Memtsoudis concluded.
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Memtsoudis SG, et al. Peripheral nerve blocks in total joint arthroplasty may provide the best reduction in complications in older patients with fewer comorbidities. Presented at: Spring American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine Annual Meeting; April 20-22, 2023; Hollywood, Florida.
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