Regional techniques for head and neck surgical procedures.

Regional anesthesia has evolved as an important tool for anesthesiologists and surgeons managing patients for surgery of the head and neck region. In recent years, ultrasound use has increased significantly, and newer nerve blocks have been established for surgeries of the head and regions. In this review, anatomy, indications, efficacy, and potential side effects of regional anesthesia for the head and neck region are presented. Evolving practice strongly suggests that regional nerve blocks for the head and neck region are safe and effective. Future studies and education will likely evolve practice to make these regional techniques standards for future surgeries of the head and neck region.

Regional anesthesia considerations for cardiac surgery.

Pain is a significant consequence of cardiac surgery and newer techniques in cardiac anesthesia have provided an impetus for the development of multimodal techniques to manage acute pain in this setting. In this regard, regional anesthesia techniques have been increasingly used in many cardiac surgical procedures, for the purposes of reducing perioperative consumption of opioid agents and enhanced recovery after surgery. The present investigation focuses on most currently used regional techniques in cardiac surgical procedures. These regional techniques include chest wall blocks (e.g., PECS I and II, SAP, ESB, PVB), sternal blocks (e.g., TTMPB, PSINB), and neuraxial blocks (e.g., TEA, high spinal anesthesia). The present investigation also summarizes indications, technique, complications, and potential clinical benefits of these evolving regional techniques. Cardiac surgery patients may benefit from application of these regional techniques with well controlled indications and careful patient selections.