BackgroundThere is heterogeneity in the names and anatomical descriptions of regional anesthetic techniques. This may have adverse consequences on education, research, and implementation into clinical practice. We aimed to produce standardized nomenclature for abdominal wall, paraspinal, and chest wall regional anesthetic techniques.MethodsWe conducted an international consensus study involving experts using a three-round Delphi method to produce a list of names and corresponding descriptions of anatomical targets. After long-list formulation by a Steering Committee, the first and second rounds involved anonymous electronic voting and commenting, with the third round involving a virtual round table discussion aiming to achieve consensus on items that had yet to achieve it. Novel names were presented where required for anatomical clarity and harmonization. Strong consensus was defined as ≥75% agreement and weak consensus as 50% to 74% agreement.ResultsSixty expert Collaborators participated in this study. After three rounds and clarification, harmonization, and introduction of novel nomenclature, strong consensus was achieved for the names of 16 block names and weak consensus for four names. For anatomical descriptions, strong consensus was achieved for 19 blocks and weak consensus was achieved for one approach. Several areas requiring further research were identified.ConclusionsHarmonization and standardization of nomenclature may improve education, research, and ultimately patient care. We present the first international consensus on nomenclature and anatomical descriptions of blocks of the abdominal wall, chest wall, and paraspinal blocks. We recommend using the consensus results in academic and clinical practice.
Background: Epidural analgesia can be associated with high costs and postsurgical risks such as hypotension, despite its widespread use and value in providing opioid-sparing pain management. We tested the hypothesis that liposomal bupivacaine (LB) might be a reliable alternative to epidural analgesia in this real-world study. Objectives: To compare economic outcomes and hypotension incidence associated with use of LB and epidural analgesia for abdominal surgery. Methods: This retrospective analysis identified records of adults who underwent abdominal surgeries between January 2016 and September 2019 with either LB administration or traditional epidural analgesia using the Premier Healthcare Database. Economic outcomes included length of stay, hospital costs, rates of discharge to home, and 30-day hospital readmissions. Secondary outcomes included incidence of postsurgical hypotension and vasopressor use. Subgroup analyses were stratified by surgical procedure (colorectal, abdominal) and approach (endoscopic, open). A generalized linear model adjusted for patient and hospital characteristics was used for all comparisons. Results: A total of 5799 surgical records (LB, n=4820; epidural analgesia, n=979) were included. Compared with cases where LB was administered, cases of epidural analgesia use were associated with a 1.6-day increase in length of stay (adjusted rate ratio [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.2 [1.2-1.3]]; P<.0001) and $6304 greater hospital costs (adjusted rate ratio [95% CI], 1.2 [1.2-1.3]]; P<.0001). Cost differences were largely driven by room-and-board fees. Epidural analgesia was associated with reduced rates of discharge to home (P<.0001) and increased 30-day readmission rates (P=.0073) compared with LB. Epidural analgesia was also associated with increased rates of postsurgical hypotension (30% vs 11%; adjusted odds ratio [95% CI], 2.8 [2.3-3.4]; P<.0001) and vasopressor use (22% vs 7%; adjusted odds ratio [95% CI], 3.1 [2.5-4.0]; P<.0001) compared with LB. Subgroup analyses by surgical procedure and approach were generally consistent with overall comparisons. Discussion: Our results are consistent with previous studies that demonstrated epidural analgesia can be associated with higher utilization of healthcare resources and complications compared with LB. Conclusions: Compared with epidural analgesia, LB was associated with economic benefits and reduced incidence of postsurgical hypotension and vasopressor use.
Background: Epidural analgesia can be associated with high costs and postsurgical risks such as hypotension, despite its widespread use and value in providing opioid-sparing pain management. We tested the hypothesis that liposomal bupivacaine (LB) might be a reliable alternative to epidural analgesia in this real-world study. Objectives: To compare economic outcomes and hypotension incidence associated with use of LB and epidural analgesia for abdominal surgery. Methods: This retrospective analysis identified records of adults who underwent abdominal surgeries between January 2016 and September 2019 with either LB administration or traditional epidural analgesia using the Premier Healthcare Database. Economic outcomes included length of stay, hospital costs, rates of discharge to home, and 30-day hospital readmissions. Secondary outcomes included incidence of postsurgical hypotension and vasopressor use. Subgroup analyses were stratified by surgical procedure (colorectal, abdominal) and approach (endoscopic, open). A generalized linear model adjusted for patient and hospital characteristics was used for all comparisons. Results: A total of 5799 surgical records (LB, n=4820; epidural analgesia, n=979) were included. Compared with cases where LB was administered, cases of epidural analgesia use were associated with a 1.6-day increase in length of stay (adjusted rate ratio [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.2 [1.2-1.3]]; P<.0001) and $6304 greater hospital costs (adjusted rate ratio [95% CI], 1.2 [1.2-1.3]]; P<.0001). Cost differences were largely driven by room-and-board fees. Epidural analgesia was associated with reduced rates of discharge to home (P<.0001) and increased 30-day readmission rates (P=.0073) compared with LB. Epidural analgesia was also associated with increased rates of postsurgical hypotension (30% vs 11%; adjusted odds ratio [95% CI], 2.8 [2.3-3.4]; P<.0001) and vasopressor use (22% vs 7%; adjusted odds ratio [95% CI], 3.1 [2.5-4.0]; P<.0001) compared with LB. Subgroup analyses by surgical procedure and approach were generally consistent with overall comparisons. Discussion: Our results are consistent with previous studies that demonstrated epidural analgesia can be associated with higher utilization of healthcare resources and complications compared with LB. Conclusions: Compared with epidural analgesia, LB was associated with economic benefits and reduced incidence of postsurgical hypotension and vasopressor use.
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