RESUMEN
This review article provides an overview of current developments in peripheral regional anaesthesia (RA). The authors present a subjective compilation based on discussions at professional events and inquiries to the Working Group on Regional Anaesthesia of the German Society for Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine (DGAI). The article addresses several relevant topics, including the handling of antithrombotic medication in peripheral blockades with reference to European guidelines, the debate on the discharge timing after plexus anaesthesia, and the consideration of rebound pain as an independent pain entity following RA.Furthermore, the contentious discussion regarding the administration of peripheral nerve blockades under general anaesthesia is illuminated. The authors express no fundamental concerns in this regard but emphasize the importance of preoperative evaluation and individual patient needs. The question of mixing local anaesthetics is also addressed, with the authors critically questioning this tradition and recommending the use of individual, long-acting substances.Another focal point is the application of peripheral nerve blockades in emergency medicine, both in preclinical and emergency room settings. The authors highlight the necessity for high-quality studies and discuss the complex organizational issues associated with the preclinical application of RA techniques.
Asunto(s)
Anestesia de Conducción , Anestesiología , Humanos , Anestesia Local , Anestésicos Locales , DolorRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Rebound pain as a side effect of regional anaesthesia is an excessive sensation of pain after the effect of local anaesthesia has subsided. This sensation goes well beyond the normal wound pain following a surgical intervention. This phenomenon has entered focus of research in the past 10 years now, but the specific causes are so far unclear and there are still no targeted treatment recommendations. OBJECTIVE: This review article is intended to give the readership an overview of the current state of research about rebound pain. The theories of pathophysiology are presented and prophylaxis as well as treatment strategies are explained. MATERIAL AND METHODS: For this review article, the publications about rebound pain that appeared from 2005 up to May 2021 in PubMed were reviewed and the authors' definitions of rebound pain as well as the assumptions on pathophysiology and treatment recommendations were summarized. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: A total of 22 original papers from the years 2005-2021 were evaluated regarding the differences between the definitions of rebound pain, the assumption of its occurrence as well as possible treatment options. It turns out that there is no uniform definition by the professional societies, the pathophysiology has not yet been clearly identified and no clear recommendations for prophylaxis or treatment can be given to date; however, early administration of pain medication (e.g. NSAIDs) before the end of the nerve block has proven to be helpful. Likewise, dexamethasone as an adjuvant to regional anaesthesia shows positive effects regarding the occurrence of rebound pain. In any case, it makes sense to provide patients with comprehensive information about this special side effect of regional anaesthesia so that those affected can correctly classify the excessive pain reaction. Targeted studies to avoid severe pain after regional anaesthesia, e.g. through the addition of adjuvants, are necessary in order to keep side effects as low as possible and thereby improve patient comfort and the acceptance of regional anaesthesia.