Complications of regional anaesthesia

Alasdair Taylor; Calum RK Grant

doi:10.1016/j.mpaic.2021.11.007

Complications of regional anaesthesia

Alasdair Taylor
, Calum RK Grant

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Complications of regional anaesthesia can be divided into those specific to central neuraxial blockade, those specific to peripheral nerve blockade, and those that pertain to both. Fortunately, severe complications, namely spinal cord damage, vertebral cord haematoma and epidural abscess, are rare. Here we have given an overview of these complications, with reference to incidences available following the Third National Audit Project of the Royal College of Anaesthetists. A thorough knowledge of anatomy and pharmacology, and a meticulous, unhurried technique are key to reducing the risk of such complications. When considering the use of a regional anaesthetic technique, the risks and benefits for the individual patient should be assessed on a case-by-case basis, and set against the risks and benefits of alternatives.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	146-150
Number of pages	5
Journal	Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine
Volume	23
Issue number	3
Early online date	26 Jan 2022
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mpaic.2021.11.007
Publication status	Published - Mar 2022

Keywords

Central neuraxial block
complications
consent
nerve damage
peripheral nerve block
regional anaesthesia

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Critical Care and Intensive Care Medicine
Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine

Access to Document

10.1016/j.mpaic.2021.11.007Licence: Elsevier User Licence

Cite this

@article{b114a103f6d743d39e34b606c80b2ebb,

title = "Complications of regional anaesthesia",

abstract = "Complications of regional anaesthesia can be divided into those specific to central neuraxial blockade, those specific to peripheral nerve blockade, and those that pertain to both. Fortunately, severe complications, namely spinal cord damage, vertebral cord haematoma and epidural abscess, are rare. Here we have given an overview of these complications, with reference to incidences available following the Third National Audit Project of the Royal College of Anaesthetists. A thorough knowledge of anatomy and pharmacology, and a meticulous, unhurried technique are key to reducing the risk of such complications. When considering the use of a regional anaesthetic technique, the risks and benefits for the individual patient should be assessed on a case-by-case basis, and set against the risks and benefits of alternatives.",

keywords = "Central neuraxial block, complications, consent, nerve damage, peripheral nerve block, regional anaesthesia",

author = "Alasdair Taylor and Grant, \{Calum RK\}",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2021",

year = "2022",

month = mar,

doi = "10.1016/j.mpaic.2021.11.007",

language = "English",

volume = "23",

pages = "146--150",

journal = "Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine",

issn = "1472-0299",

publisher = "Elsevier",

number = "3",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - Complications of regional anaesthesia

AU - Taylor, Alasdair

AU - Grant, Calum RK

PY - 2022/3

Y1 - 2022/3

N2 - Complications of regional anaesthesia can be divided into those specific to central neuraxial blockade, those specific to peripheral nerve blockade, and those that pertain to both. Fortunately, severe complications, namely spinal cord damage, vertebral cord haematoma and epidural abscess, are rare. Here we have given an overview of these complications, with reference to incidences available following the Third National Audit Project of the Royal College of Anaesthetists. A thorough knowledge of anatomy and pharmacology, and a meticulous, unhurried technique are key to reducing the risk of such complications. When considering the use of a regional anaesthetic technique, the risks and benefits for the individual patient should be assessed on a case-by-case basis, and set against the risks and benefits of alternatives.

AB - Complications of regional anaesthesia can be divided into those specific to central neuraxial blockade, those specific to peripheral nerve blockade, and those that pertain to both. Fortunately, severe complications, namely spinal cord damage, vertebral cord haematoma and epidural abscess, are rare. Here we have given an overview of these complications, with reference to incidences available following the Third National Audit Project of the Royal College of Anaesthetists. A thorough knowledge of anatomy and pharmacology, and a meticulous, unhurried technique are key to reducing the risk of such complications. When considering the use of a regional anaesthetic technique, the risks and benefits for the individual patient should be assessed on a case-by-case basis, and set against the risks and benefits of alternatives.

KW - Central neuraxial block

KW - complications

KW - consent

KW - nerve damage

KW - peripheral nerve block

KW - regional anaesthesia

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85123570101

U2 - 10.1016/j.mpaic.2021.11.007

DO - 10.1016/j.mpaic.2021.11.007

M3 - Review article

AN - SCOPUS:85123570101

SN - 1472-0299

VL - 23

SP - 146

EP - 150

JO - Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine

JF - Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine

IS - 3

ER -

Complications of regional anaesthesia

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint