How Patients Benefit

The PNBs Have It: Regional Anesthesia vs. GA

A meta analysis of 22 studies and 1,362 patients shows that single shot PNBs do a better job of reducing surgical pain and PONV than general anesthesia. In addition, PACU time, discharge time, nausea, Phase 1 PACU bypass, need for post-op analgesics and patient satisfactions scores were all improved.14

The Jury Is In: Regional Anesthesia vs. Opioids

A meta analysis by Liu and Richman of 19 studies and 603 patients shows that continuous peripheral nerve blocks control post-op pain more effectively than opioids.  Visual analog pain scores averaged 50 percent lower with PNB patients compared to the opioid group. In addition, nausea, sedation and pruritus were all reduced through lower opioid consumption.35

Patients want effective, hassle-free treatment. Regional Anesthesia can help you:

Manage pain more effectively
Numerous studies have demonstrated that regional anesthesia results in significantly lower pain scores in both inpatient and outpatient settings when compared to general anesthesia with volatile agents (GAVA) and intravenous opioids.42-48 In a meta analysis of 603 patients, Richman showed that pain scores were 50% lower over post-op days 1-3 using continuous nerve block instead of opioids.35

Reduce PONV
One study found that PONV was nine times less likely with patients receiving RA instead of general anesthesia.49 Furthermore, a meta analysis of 1,362 patients showed that the incidence of PONV was significantly less with RA (6.8%) compared to GA (30%).14 Macario reported that PONV is the one major side effect patients want to avoid after surgery and are willing to pay up to $100 out of pocket to avoid it.50

Reduced incidence of respiratory depression
RA decreases the dependence on opioids for post op pain control and as a result can help reduce the level of respiratory depression51 and the associated costs.

Decrease somnolence
Patients benefit from improved sleep patterns. RA can be used to reduce surgical stress and provide superior analgesia with fewer opioids. These effects may improve the quality of post-operative sleep.52

Prevent cardiovascular complications
A recent meta analysis comparing regional anesthesia with general anesthesia showed that RA techniques significantly reduced post-operative thromboembolic complications and pulmonary embolism.  Continuous RA techniques reduced thromboembolic complications (from 62% to 28.7%) in randomized trials of lower extremity surgery.13

Improve functional outcomes
Patients recover more effectively when they are engaged in their own rehabilitation. Chelly showed that the use of a continuous femoral nerve block for total knee arthroplasty resulted in improved performance on continuous passive motion.53 Optimal analgesia allows patients to achieve early mobilization, improves physical therapy participation, and provides better functional results.  Furthermore, RA may facilitate an earlier return to work, potentially generating cost savings for the patient.52

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$141.51

Cost of PONV Complications:
35% of extended PACU stays are caused by episodes of PONV.
Outpatient Surgery, November 2008


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The Cost Savings Calculator demonstrates the effect Regional Anesthesia can have on patient recovery and a facility’s bottom line. The calculator focuses on the two most common post-op adverse events causing extended PACU stays or delayed discharge: PONV and Pain.56

With this tool, facilities can quantify the cost of avoidable events, calculate the associated profit erosion, and then discover how these hidden costs may be affecting them.

The first step is to identify the significance of these losses within a practice. Then, once documented, share the findings and create a team to focus on containing these costs.

*CPT codes cited are for illustrative purposes only. Providers are responsible for assigning accurate and appropriate CPT codes. B. Braun makes no representation as to the CPT code cited.