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Review
Fascial plane blocks: a narrative review of the literature
  1. David H Kim1,2,
  2. Sang Jo Kim1,2,
  3. Jiabin Liu1,2,
  4. Jonathan Beathe1,2 and
  5. Stavros G Memtsoudis1,2
  1. 1 Anesthesiology, Critical Care & Pain Management, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York, USA
  2. 2 Department of Anesthesiology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
  1. Correspondence to Dr Stavros G Memtsoudis, Anesthesiology, Critical Care & Pain Management, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York, USA; memtsoudiss{at}hss.edu

Abstract

Fascial plane blocks (FPBs) are increasingly numerous and are often touted as effective solutions to many perioperative challenges facing anesthesiologists. As ‘new’ FPBs are being described, questions regarding their effectiveness remain unanswered as appropriate studies are lacking and publications are often limited to case discussions or technical reports. It is often unclear if newly named FPBs truly represent a novel intervention with new indications, or if these new publications describe mere ultrasound facilitated modifications of existing techniques. Here, we present broad concepts and potential mechanisms of FPB. In addition, we discuss major FPBs of (1) the extremities (2) the posterior torso and (3) the anterior torso. The characteristics, indications and a brief summary of the literature on these blocks is included. Finally, we provide an estimate of the overall level of evidence currently supporting individual approaches as FPBs continue to rapidly evolve.

  • lower extremity
  • nerve block
  • anesthesia
  • local
  • pain
  • postoperative
  • pain management

Data availability statement

No data are available. This is a review, no original data are available.

https://doi.org/10.1136/rapm-2020-101909

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    Data availability statement

    No data are available. This is a review, no original data are available.

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    Footnotes

    • Twitter @sgmemtsoudis

    • Contributors All authors have participated in the conception and writing of the manuscript. All agree with its contents and its final presentation.

    • Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

    • Competing interests SGM is a Director on the boards of the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA) and the Society of Anesthesia and Sleep Medicine (SASM). He is a one-time consultant for Sandoz and Teikoku and is currently on the medical advisory board of HATH. He has a pending US Patent application for a Multicatheter Infusion System. US-2017-0361063. He is the owner of SGM Consulting and coowner of FC Monmouth.

    • Provenance and peer review Commissioned; externally peer reviewed.