Predictors of patient satisfaction with regional anesthesia

The practice and success of regional anesthesia (RA) are influenced by a number of factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate patients' attitudes toward RA--perhaps the aspect least evaluated in anesthesia practice--and the factors influencing it.

A total of 154 patients (59 male, 95 female) aged 13 to 96 years were subjected to different RA techniques for orthopedic and trauma surgery. On the following day, a nurse not belonging to the surgical area and not aware of the anesthesia technique gave a questionnaire to the patient.

After application of the study protocol, 110 patients were evaluated (40 male, 70 female), aged 13 to 96 years (mean, 66 +/- 12). Of these, 15.5% had undergone RA previously. Patient attitude toward RA was mostly either favorable (46.4%) or indifferent (45.5%)--only 6.4% showed a negative attitude. Inconveniences of RA were mentioned by 24.6% of patients, and the most common complaint was the needle puncture involved in the technique (18.1%). Advantages of RA were cited by 82.7% of patients (two or more quoted in 75.3%): the possibility of speaking with relatives during the immediate postoperative period (72.7%), staying awake (71.8%), and the absence of pain during the immediate postoperative interval (37.3%). Regression analysis showed the complaint of needle puncture to be the greatest negative factor.

The performance of RA and consequently the knowledge of it acquired by the patients led to an increase in demand among those individuals who previously had expressed doubts about the technique. Previously positive attitudes remained unchanged. The combination of adequate sedation and the correct anesthetic procedure may favor patient acceptance of RA.