Regional anesthesia and pain medicine
Audio Summaries

Efficacy of systemic lidocaine versus ultrasound-guided adductor canal block for patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty: a randomized, double-blinded, non-inferiority study

Jul 28, 2026

This study aimed to determine whether intravenous lidocaine is non-inferior to ultrasound-guided adductor canal block in managing postoperative pain and opioid consumption in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty. The results indicated that while adductor canal block provided superior immediate analgesia in the post-anesthesia care unit, both methods were comparable in terms of opioid consumption and recovery quality over the first 24 hours, suggesting that lidocaine is a viable alternative when regional anesthesia is not an option.

Anatomic basis of the PENG block: dissection, cryo-cross-sections, and histology challenge a pericapsular target

Jul 24, 2026

The authors aimed to investigate the anatomical and histological basis of local anesthetic spread following the pericapsular nerve group (PENG) block. Their findings revealed that the injectate primarily localized within the iliopsoas muscle compartment, with potential involvement of small intramuscular nerve branches, suggesting a possible mechanism for analgesia, while the femoral nerve's role requires further exploration.

Diaphragm-sparing nerve blocks for shoulder surgery: essentials of our current understanding

Jul 24, 2026

The authors aim to address the challenges of managing shoulder surgery in patients with pulmonary disease by reviewing diaphragm-sparing nerve block techniques as alternatives to traditional interscalene brachial plexus blocks. They discuss the innervation of the shoulder, the concept of hemidiaphragmatic paralysis, and evaluate the evidence for various diaphragm-sparing strategies while highlighting existing knowledge gaps that warrant further research.

Longitudinal outcomes following temporary 60-day percutaneous peripheral nerve stimulation for chronic pain: a retrospective analysis

Jul 24, 2026

This retrospective cohort study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of temporary 60-day percutaneous peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) for chronic pain in 125 patients. The primary outcome showed that only 24% of patients experienced a clinically meaningful pain reduction of ≥30%, with lower responder rates observed under more stringent criteria. The study highlights the need for further investigation into factors such as lead migration and mental health comorbidities that may influence treatment outcomes.

Superficial peroneal nerve accessory artery: a vascular landmark in the mid-calf for ultrasound-guided ankle block

Jul 24, 2026

The authors aim to identify a vascular landmark that can assist in locating the superficial peroneal nerve during ultrasound-guided ankle blocks, as no consistent landmark has been documented in the literature. They report the discovery of a small artery, termed the superficial peroneal nerve accessory artery (SPNAA), located near the nerve in the mid-calf, which can facilitate its identification. This article provides a technical report on locating the SPNAA to enhance the accuracy of nerve localization in regional anesthesia.

New persistent opioid use following surgery among opioid-naïve patients in the USA: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies

Jun 26, 2026

The authors conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate the pooled incidence of new persistent opioid use (NPOU) following surgery among opioid-naïve patients in the USA, as well as to examine its association with various risk factors and patient characteristics. They found that the pooled incidence of NPOU was 7.15%, with significant variability among studies, and highlighted the urgent need for effective non-opioid pain management strategies due to the potential risks associated with persistent opioid use.

Sensory innervation of the knee joint: a narrative review of articular branch mapping and sensory receptor distribution

Jun 26, 2026

This narrative review aims to clarify the distribution of sensory receptors and the articular branches involved in the innervation of the knee joint to enhance pain management strategies for knee conditions. The authors found significant spatial heterogeneity in nociceptor distribution, with the anterior capsule having the highest density, and identified key contributions from various nerves, including the femoral and sciatic nerves. These insights provide a foundational understanding for developing targeted analgesic interventions.

Analgesic efficacy of locoregional anesthesia techniques in cardiac surgery: a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized trials

Jun 25, 2026

The authors aimed to evaluate the analgesic efficacy of various locoregional anesthesia (LRA) techniques in adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery, particularly in terms of opioid consumption, pain scores, and time to first rescue analgesia. Their systematic review and network meta-analysis of 133 randomized trials found that intrathecal opioids provided the most significant reductions in opioid use and pain scores, while erector spinae plane and parasternal intercostal plane blocks showed promise as alternatives. The study highlights the need for further high-quality trials to standardize LRA strategies in cardiac surgery and assess their impact on recovery and safety.

Pilot study of feasibility, acceptability, and changes in clinical outcomes following a brief trauma-focused intervention for chronic pain

Jun 25, 2026

This pilot study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the Stress, Trauma, and Emotional Processing for Pain (STEPP) intervention for individuals with chronic pain and trauma exposure, as well as to assess its impact on clinical outcomes. The results indicated that STEPP was feasible and acceptable, with significant improvements in pain intensity, pain interference, PTSD symptoms, pain catastrophizing, and kinesiophobia observed from baseline to post-treatment, which were maintained at follow-up. The authors suggest that further randomized controlled trials are necessary to confirm the efficacy of this intervention.

Impact of continuous serratus plane analgesia on quality of recovery after video-assisted thoracic surgery: a prospective double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial

Jun 23, 2026

The authors aimed to determine whether continuous serratus anterior plane block (SAPB) infusion, combined with multimodal analgesia, could enhance the quality of recovery (QoR-40) after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). Although the SAPB group showed higher QoR-40 scores and reduced opioid consumption compared to the control group, these differences were not statistically significant for the primary outcome. The study concludes that while continuous SAPB may have some benefits, larger trials are needed to confirm its impact on patient-reported recovery.