Standardizing nomenclature in regional anesthesia: an ASRA-ESRA Delphi consensus study of abdominal wall, paraspinal, and chest wall blocks

Kariem El-Boghdadly, Morné Wolmarans, Angela D. Stengel, Eric Albrecht, Ki Jinn Chin, Hesham Elsharkawy, Sandra Kopp, Edward R. Mariano, Jeff L. Xu, Sanjib Adhikary, Başak Altıparmak, Michael J. Barrington, Sébastien Bloc, Rafael Blanco, Karen Boretsky, Jens Børglum, Margaretha Breebaart, David Burckett-St Laurent, Xavier Capdevila, Brendan CarvalhoAlwin Chuan, Steve Coppens, Ioana Costache, Mette Dam, Christian Egeler, Mario Fajardo, Jeff Gadsden, Philippe Emmanuel Gautier, Stuart Alan Grant, Admir Hadzic, Peter Hebbard, Nadia Hernandez, Rosemary Hogg, Margaret Holtz, Rebecca L. Johnson, Manoj Kumar Karmakar, Paul Kessler, Kwesi Kwofie, Clara Lobo, Danielle Ludwin, Alan MacFarlane, John McDonnell, Graeme McLeod, Peter Merjavy, Eml Moran, Brian D. O'Donnell, Teresa Parras, Amit Pawa, Anahi Perlas, Maria Fernanda Rojas Gomez, Xavier Sala-Blanch, Andrea Saporito, Sanjay Kumar Sinha, Ellen M. Soffin, Athmaja Thottungal, Ban C. H. Tsui, Serkan Tulgar, Lloyd Turbitt, Vishal Uppal, Geert J. van Geffen, Thomas Volk, Nabil M. Elkassabany (Lead / Corresponding author)

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    153 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Background: There 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.

    Methods: We 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.

    Results: Sixty 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.

    Conclusions: Harmonization 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.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)571-580
    Number of pages10
    JournalRegional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
    Volume46
    Issue number7
    Early online date18 Jun 2021
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Jul 2021

    Keywords

    • acute pain
    • analgesia
    • anesthesia
    • local
    • pain
    • postoperative
    • regional anesthesia

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine

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