Applications of Big Data in Perioperative Outcomes Research and Evidence-Based Clinical Practice

Regional anesthesia (RA), including neuraxial anesthesia and peripheral nerve blocks, has shown benefits in improving perioperative outcomes. The increase of big data enables large-scale analysis of RA's impact on patient morbidity and mortality, supporting value-based health care models focused on quality and cost. Initiatives like the Perioperative Surgical Home and Enhanced Recovery After Surgery protocols highlight anesthesiologists' roles in optimizing care. Studies using clinical registries and administrative databases suggest that RA can lower postoperative mortality and complications in certain surgeries compared with general anesthesia, particularly in orthopedic and thoracic procedures, although results may vary by patient and surgery type.