REGIONAL ANAESTHESIA Does regional anaesthesia really improve outcome?

Editor’s key points † Outcome studies showing differences in mortality between regional and general anaesthetic techniques are probably impossible. † Meta-analyses have shown improved outcomes for specific endpoints associated with specific regional anaesthesia techniques. Summary. In recent decades, a number of studies have attempted to determine whether regional anaesthesia offers convincing benefits over general anaesthesia. However, today we interpret meta-analyses more carefully, and it remains unclear whether regional anaesthesia reduces mortality. However, regional anaesthesia offers superior analgesia over opioid-based analgesia, and a significant reduction in postoperative pain is still a worthwhile outcome. Recent developments in technical aspects of regional anaesthesia have the potential to provide significant advantages for many patients in all age groups. Moreover, studies focusing on specific outcomes have shown benefits for regional anaesthesia used for surgery and postoperative analgesia.