Patient and Surgeon Reported Experiences of Locoregional Anesthesia in Hand Surgery

Area of Science:

• Anesthesiology
• Hand Surgery
• Patient Outcomes

Background:

• Locoregional anesthesia is increasingly used in hand surgery.
• Limited data exists on patient acceptance and satisfaction with these techniques.
• Psychological stress can be a concern for patients undergoing locoregional anesthesia.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate patient satisfaction and acceptance of locoregional anesthesia in upper limb surgery.
• To assess surgeon satisfaction with locoregional anesthesia techniques.

Main Methods:

• An observational study was conducted at a single tertiary institution.
• 101 patients undergoing upper limb surgery with locoregional anesthesia were evaluated.
• Patient satisfaction was assessed using the Evaluation du Vecu de l'Anesthesie LocoRegionale (EVAN-LR) questionnaire.
• Surgeon satisfaction was also recorded.

Main Results:

• All EVAN-LR domains received a mean satisfaction score greater than 4.5 (on a 5-point Likert scale).
• Surgeons reported high acceptance of locoregional anesthesia, with most giving scores of 4 or higher.
• High patient satisfaction indicates good quality of care.

Conclusions:

• Locoregional anesthesia is well-accepted by patients undergoing upper limb procedures.
• These findings provide reassurance regarding the quality of care associated with locoregional anesthesia.
• Addressing potential discomforts like tourniquet pain is crucial for maximizing patient satisfaction.