Peripheral Nerve Catheters

A peripheral nerve catheterPeripheral nerve catheter (PNC) provides a continuous sensory blockade via either perineural local anestheticLocal anesthetic infusion or infusion into a fascial plane or compartment to achieve desired regional analgesicAnalgesics effects. Often used in the perioperative periodPerioperative period, PNCs provide sustained analgesiaAnalgesia, which can have significant advantages compared to a single shot peripheral nerve blockPeripheral nerve block. Their use in the perioperative periodPerioperative period has substantially increased with the widespread adoption of ultrasound, and numerous PNC sites have been described in the literature. Like all therapies, PNCs are associated with both benefits and risksRisks, which are further described in this chapter. In addition, some management considerations for different PNC sites and surgical procedures are discussed. This chapter aims to provide an overview of PNC use in perioperative pain managementPerioperative pain management.