Critical care innovations: navigating pain relief in intensive care: the role of regional anesthesia.

The purpose of this article is to provide an update of regional anesthesia and its applications in the critical care patient population. Regional anesthesia including blocks of the abdomen and thorax, head and neck, as well as upper and lower extremities can be used to alleviate pain and assist in managing life-threatening conditions such as cerebral vasospasm and ventricular storm in the ICU population. There have been many advances in these techniques including ultrasound-guidance with innovative approaches that allow for more superficial procedures that are safer for critically ill patients. Regional anesthesia can decrease hospital length of stay (LOS), prevent ICU admission, shorten ICU LOS, and increase ventilator free days and may have mortality benefits. Pain management in the ICU is an important and sometimes challenging aspect of patient care. Regional anesthetic techniques have more indications and are safe, versatile tools that should be incorporated into care of critically ill patients.

Campbell A ，Jacoby M ，Hernandez N 《-》

Regional anesthesia and analgesia in critically ill patients: a systematic review.

Stundner O ，Memtsoudis SG 《-》

The critically ill patient and regional anesthesia.

Schulz-Stübner S 《Current Opinion in Anesthesiology》

Regional anesthesia in neonates and infants.

Optimal pain management can significantly impact the surgical outcome and length of stay in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Regional anesthesia is an effective alternative that can be used in both term and preterm neonates. A variety of neuraxial and peripheral nerve blocks have been used for specific surgical and NICU procedures. Ultrasound guidance has increased the feasibility of using these techniques in neonates. Education and training staff in the use of continuous epidural infusions are important prerequisites for successful implementation of regional anesthesia in NICU management protocols.

Bosenberg A ，Flick RP 《-》

The Second American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine Evidence-Based Medicine Assessment of Ultrasound-Guided Regional Anesthesia: Executive Summary.

Neal JM ，Brull R ，Horn JL ，Liu SS ，McCartney CJ ，Perlas A ，Salinas FV ，Tsui BC ... -  《-》