Does regional analgesia influence surgical outcome?
Epidural analgesia: Lower pain scores with epidural analgesia than with systemic opioids. It reduces risk of myocardial infarction and dysrhythmias (thoracic epidural analgesia [TEA] in high-risk patients). It facilitates earlier return of bowel function after major abdominal surgical procedures. The beneficial effect of reduced risk of postoperative pulmonary complications in case of utilizing TEA is well established.
Peripheral nerve block analgesia: Lower pain scores with peripheral nerve analgesia than with systemic opioids, allowing significant opioid sparing effect. It facilitates earlier rehabilitation goals, reduced length of stay and enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS).
