Regional anesthetic techniques for postoperative analgesia

In the last decade, nurses and physicians have increasingly recognized the importance of eliminating postoperative pain in speeding a patient's recovery after surgery. In an effort to improve postoperative pain management, many regional anesthetic techniques have been continued from the operating room to the recovery room, and into the intensive care and medical-surgical units. The methods have been shown to be superior to traditional modes of postoperative pain relief. They not only provide better analgesia but also increase patient recovery in the immediate postoperative period. In addition, regional pain control methods have been shown to decrease postoperative morbidity and mortality as well as decrease the length of intensive care and overall hospital stay. To provide optimum care, nurses must be well-versed in the different regional techniques employed and the drugs used with these techniques. They must recognize complications attributable to these procedures and the toxic potential of the local anesthetics and narcotics. Early detection of these complications is essential.