The Publicʼs Fears About and Perceptions of Regional Anesthesia

Matthey, Peter; Finegan, Barry A.; Finucane, Brendan T.

doi:10.1097/00115550-200403000-00006

Cited by 17 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…We were surprised at the lack of prior knowledge about regional anaesthesia demonstrated by the included patients. However, this concurs with findings in the aforementioned study where a quarter of patients feared permanent paralysis despite a statistically very low risk; on the other hand, none were concerned about the risk of more common side‐effects such as transient paraesthesiae. Patients’ lack of knowledge about peripheral nerve blocks makes good quality information crucial in order to avoid unnecessary distress.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

“…Matthey et al. also demonstrated a fear of back pain as well as spinal injury in relation to spinal anaesthesia . Similarly, this reasoning was also echoed in our interviews.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 84%

“…This concern is also described, among others, by Matthey et al. . This was a Canadian study which performed a telephone survey among the general population aimed at describing the public's fears and perceptions about regional anaesthesia.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 75%

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Peripheral nerve block in ankle fracture surgery: a qualitative study of patients’ experiences

et al. 2017

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Summary Peripheral nerve blocks are popular as a mode of anaesthesia for limb surgery and their beneficial effects are well documented in elective surgery. However, concerns have been raised about potential rebound pain outweighing the benefits in acute ankle fracture surgery. Furthermore, pain scores and morphine consumption do not provide a full picture, as pain is subjective. To evaluate the clinical usefulness of peripheral nerve blocks, we explored patients’ expectations and experiences by means of semi‐structured interviews analysed with systematic text condensation. We obtained ethical approval and informed consent and sampled purposively among adult patients scheduled for ankle surgery with nerve blocks as the primary mode of anaesthesia. Patients were interviewed within 48 h postoperatively. Data saturation was reached after 13 interviews. We found that, despite pre‐emptive ibuprofen and paracetamol, some patients did experience excruciating rebound pain for up to 2 h, although most had little or no pain. The patients had doubts about what to do when the block wore off, which led to a risk of unnecessary pain levels or morphine overuse. Patients had difficulty understanding the effect and course of the nerve blocks. They had misunderstandings regarding the blocks’ effect on sensation, resulting in fear of feeling pain during surgery and of permanent nerve damage after surgery. However, patients valued the mental alertness, ability to ambulate and efficient pain relief provided by the blocks. We recommend that patients be given thorough and repeated information as we feel this is crucial in preventing undesirable responses from patients, and is likely to increase the overall clinical usefulness of nerve blocks in acute limb surgery.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

“…Matthey et al. also demonstrated a fear of back pain as well as spinal injury in relation to spinal anaesthesia . Similarly, this reasoning was also echoed in our interviews.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 84%

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Peripheral nerve block in ankle fracture surgery: a qualitative study of patients’ experiences

et al. 2017

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“…This reflects the fact that patients are satisfied with the method offered to them30. More patients in the SSB group evaluated the method as ‘better than expected’, indicating that there are still negative associations with regional anaesthesia31.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 91%

Randomized clinical trial of perianal surgery performed under spinal saddle block versus total intravenous anaesthesia

Schmittner¹,

Schreiber²,

Janke³

et al. 2010

Journal of British Surgery

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“…Other limiting factors include the training required to develop the necessary technical skills for successful RA and, more recently, the expense of ultrasound equipment as this method of nerve localization increases in popularity. Finally, many patients are fearful of RA and may have misconceptions about the technique [53].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Does Regional Anesthesia Improve Outcome After Total Knee Arthroplasty?

Macfarlane

Prasad

Chan

et al. 2009

Clinical Orthopaedics &Amp; Related Research

175

101

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Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is amenable to various regional anesthesia techniques that may improve patient outcome. We sought to answer whether regional anesthesia decreased mortality, cardiovascular morbidity, deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, blood loss, duration of surgery, pain, opioid-related adverse effects, cognitive defects, and length of stay. We also questioned whether regional anesthesia improved rehabilitation. To do so, we performed a systematic review of the contemporary literature comparing general anesthesia and/or systemic analgesia with regional anesthesia and/or regional analgesia for TKA. To reflect contemporary surgical and anesthetic practice, only randomized, controlled trials from 1990 onward were included. We identified 28 studies involving 1538 patients. There was insufficient evidence from randomized, controlled trials alone to conclude if anesthetic technique influenced mortality, cardiovascular morbidity other than postoperative hypotension, or the incidence of deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism when using thromboprophylaxis. Our review suggests there was no difference in perioperative blood loss or duration of surgery in patients who received general anesthesia versus regional anesthesia. Compared with general anesthesia and/or systemic analgesia, regional anesthesia and/or analgesia reduced postoperative pain, morphine consumption, and opioid-related adverse effects. Length of stay may be reduced and rehabilitation facilitated for patients undergoing regional anesthesia and analgesia for TKA.

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The Publicʼs Fears About and Perceptions of Regional Anesthesia

Cited by 17 publications

References 13 publications

Peripheral nerve block in ankle fracture surgery: a qualitative study of patients’ experiences

Peripheral nerve block in ankle fracture surgery: a qualitative study of patients’ experiences

Randomized clinical trial of perianal surgery performed under spinal saddle block versus total intravenous anaesthesia

Does Regional Anesthesia Improve Outcome After Total Knee Arthroplasty?

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