Standardizing nomenclature in regional anesthesia: an ASRA-ESRA Delphi consensus study of abdominal wall, paraspinal, and chest wall blocks. Issue 7 (18th June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: El-Boghdadly, Kariem; Wolmarans, Morné; Stengel, Angela D; Albrecht, Eric; Chin, Ki Jinn; Elsharkawy, Hesham; Kopp, Sandra; Mariano, Edward R; Xu, Jeff L; Adhikary, Sanjib; Altıparmak, Başak; Barrington, Michael J; Bloc, Sébastien; Blanco, Rafael; Boretsky, Karen; Børglum, Jens; Breebaart, Margaretha; Burckett-St Laurent, David; Capdevila, Xavier; Carvalho, Brendan; Chuan, Alwin; Coppens, Steve; Costache, Ioana; Dam, Mette; Egeler, Christian; Fajardo, Mario; Gadsden, Jeff; Gautier, Philippe Emmanuel; Grant, Stuart Alan; Hadzic, Admir; Hebbard, Peter; Hernandez, Nadia; Hogg, Rosemary; Holtz, Margaret; Johnson, Rebecca L; Karmakar, Manoj Kumar; Kessler, Paul; Kwofie, Kwesi; Lobo, Clara; Ludwin, Danielle; MacFarlane, Alan; McDonnell, John; McLeod, Graeme; Merjavy, Peter; Moran, EML; O'Donnell, Brian D; Parras, Teresa; Pawa, Amit; Perlas, Anahi; Rojas Gomez, Maria Fernanda; Sala-Blanch, Xavier; Saporito, Andrea; Sinha, Sanjay Kumar; Soffin, Ellen M; Thottungal, Athmaja; Tsui, Ban C H; Tulgar, Serkan; Turbitt, Lloyd; Uppal, Vishal; van Geffen, Geert J; Volk, Thomas; Elkassabany, Nabil M;
• Is Part Of: Regional anesthesia and pain medicine. Volume 46:Issue 7(2021)
• Page Start: 571
• Page End: 580
• Publication Date: 2021-06-18
• Subjects: regional anesthesia -- analgesia -- anesthesia -- local -- pain -- postoperative -- acute pain; Conduction anesthesia -- Periodicals; Pain medicine -- Periodicals; 617.964
• DOI: 10.1136/rapm-2020-102451
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1098-7339

Abstract

Abstract : Background: There is heterogeneity in the names and anatomical descriptions of regional anesthetic techniques. This may have adverse consequences on education, research, and implementation into clinical practice. We aimed to produce standardized nomenclature for abdominal wall, paraspinal, and chest wall regional anesthetic techniques. Methods: We conducted an international consensus study involving experts using a three-round Delphi method to produce a list of names and corresponding descriptions of anatomical targets. After long-list formulation by a Steering Committee, the first and second rounds involved anonymous electronic voting and commenting, with the third round involving a virtual round table discussion aiming to achieve consensus on items that had yet to achieve it. Novel names were presented where required for anatomical clarity and harmonization. Strong consensus was defined as ≥75% agreement and weak consensus as 50% to 74% agreement. Results: Sixty expert Collaborators participated in this study. After three rounds and clarification, harmonization, and introduction of novel nomenclature, strong consensus was achieved for the names of 16 block names and weak consensus for four names. For anatomical descriptions, strong consensus was achieved for 19 blocks and weak consensus was achieved for one approach. Several areas requiring further research were identified. Conclusions: Harmonization and standardization of nomenclature may improve education, research, and ultimately patient care. We present the first international consensus on nomenclature and anatomical descriptions of blocks of the abdominal wall, chest wall, and paraspinal blocks. We recommend using the consensus results in academic and clinical practice.