Minerva anestesiologica
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Ambulatory surgery has grown dramatically in the past 3 decades; however, advances in postoperative pain treatment have not kept pace with the proliferation of outpatient procedures. Two techniques that may offer a solution to part of this problem are long acting peripheral nerve blocks (PNB) and outpatient continuous peripheral nerve blocks (CPNB), but the safety of sending patients home with blocked extremities has also remained controversial. Unfortunately, only a few large, prospective studies have examined this issue directly. ⋯ In conclusion, PNB and perineural catheter techniques are an exciting aspect of ambulatory anesthesia and acute pain management that has undergone rapid development in recent years. Successful application of these techniques will require a substantial educational investment by anesthesiologists and anesthesiologists in training. The rewards in reduced postoperative pain, improved patient satisfaction, and anesthesiologist professional development make this endeavor worthy of our attention.