Peripheral nerve blocks linked to better total joint outcomes

Editor's Note

Peripheral nerve blocks were associated with fewer complications and lower costs in total hip and knee patients in this study, which was presented March 23 at the annual meeting of the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine.

In this analysis of more than 1 million patients over a 7-year period, 17.9% received a peripheral nerve block.

Use of peripheral nerve block was significantly associated with lower odds for almost all complications. The strongest effects were found for wound complications in total hip patients and for cardiac complications in total knee patients. Similar beneficial patterns were found for reduced resource utilization.