Nerve Block News and Research

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Study shows postoperative nerve blocks do not cause hyper-sensitization

Nerve blocks – local anesthetic injections that block pain signals – are a valuable opioid-sparing technique for controlling pain after surgery.

14 Jul 2026

The surprising neurological benefits of GLP-1s

For people with chronic migraine, taking glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, or GLP-1 drugs, for other conditions such as diabetes and weight loss, was associated with fewer emergency department visits and hospitalizations overall, and with less need for medications used to stop and prevent migraine attacks, according to a preliminary study released March 1, 2026, that will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 78th Annual Meeting taking place April 18-22, 2026, in Chicago and online.

2 Mar 2026

Maxillary nerve block may reduce perioperative opioid consumption in pediatric primary clefts

For infants undergoing cleft palate surgery, local anesthetic injection targeting the maxillary nerve of the face may reduce or eliminate the need for opioid medications to control postoperative pain, reports a study in The Journal of Craniofacial Surgery.

12 Dec 2025

New study reveals how the uterus senses force to drive labor

When labor begins, the uterus must coordinate rhythmic, well-timed contractions to deliver the baby safely.

13 Nov 2025

Survey reveals diverse practices in thoracic sympathetic surgery across Europe

Thoracic autonomic nervous system surgery is mainly used for hyperhidrosis/facial flushing, whereas cardiac and vascular indications are limited.

10 Apr 2025

New clinical trial aims to optimize pain management and reduce opioid use after mastectomy

A multidisciplinary team of University of Cincinnati Cancer Center researchers is leading a new clinical trial aimed to optimize pain management and reduce the need for opioids after mastectomy procedures.

6 Mar 2025

Opioid-sparing anesthesia reduces opioid-related adverse events in cardiac surgery

Announcing a new article publication for Cardiovascular Innovations and Applications journal. Mounting evidence indicates that opioid-sparing anesthesia (OSA) decreases opioid-related adverse events. This article examines whether OSA might improve initial recovery after cardiac surgery.

24 Feb 2025

Study shows limited effectiveness of common local anesthetic

Liposomal bupivacaine was launched on the market twelve years ago to provide long-lasting local control of pain.

13 May 2024

Enhanced recovery program shows promise in reducing opioid reliance after pancreatic cancer surgery

By improving hospital care pathways, researchers from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center successfully reduced inpatient opioid use by 50% after pancreatic cancer surgery and cut the median opioid prescription volumes at discharge to zero.

6 Sep 2023

Novel multimodal analgesia protocol following total knee arthroplasty provides pain relief without opioids

A study led by Vinod Dasa, MD, Professor of Orthopaedics at LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine, reports that a novel surgical pain management strategy following total knee arthroplasty (TKA), or total knee replacement, provided pain relief without opioids.

27 Feb 2023

Genicular nerve blocks provide short term pain relief for patients with knee osteoarthritis

Results from a recent clinical trial published by Wiley in Arthritis & Rheumatology demonstrate that patients with knee osteoarthritis experience short term pain relief from genicular nerve blocks - or locally injected anesthetics that block nerves around the knee joint.

13 Nov 2022

Study reports disparities in the use of regional anesthesia techniques

Women, minorities and patients enrolled in Medicaid are less likely to receive regional anesthesia techniques that consistently improve outcomes after surgery, suggests research being presented at the ANESTHESIOLOGY® 2022 annual meeting.

24 Oct 2022

Epidural lidocaine injections show promise for treating psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory, debilitating skin disorder. Although there is no cure for psoriasis, several treatment options can inhibit inflammation and relieve signs and symptoms of this disease.

10 Aug 2022

‘Injections, injections, injections’: Troubling questions follow closure of sprawling pain clinic chain

On May 13 of last year, the cellphones of thousands of California residents undergoing treatment for chronic pain lit up with a terse text message: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, Lags Medical Centers will be closing effective May 19, 2021."

22 Feb 2022

Study: Patients meeting a particular criteria need invasive procedures to treat chronic neck pain

The use of radiofrequency ablation--targeted heat from an electrical current to ease nerve pain--may be helpful for treating chronic neck pain, but only in patients meeting particular criteria, conclude evidence-based consensus guidelines, published online in the journal Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine.

12 Nov 2021

New slow-release system mimics nature to provide long-lasting local anesthesia

Site 1 sodium channel blockers such as tetrodotoxin and saxitoxin are small-molecule drugs with powerful local anesthetic properties.

14 Sep 2021

Polymer patch provides controlled release of drugs for post-operative pain management

A Duke-led team of scientists has developed a bio-compatible surgical patch that releases non-opioid painkillers directly to the site of a wound for days and then dissolves away.

11 Jan 2021

Study shows effects of COVID-19 pandemic on breast cancer screening

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries paused their breast cancer screening programmes. A new study,presented at the 12thEuropean Breast Cancer Conference, suggests that the disruption to screeningcould result in an increase in the proportion of women who die of breast cancer.

1 Oct 2020

Music found to be effective in reducing anxiety prior to anesthesia

Music is a viable alternative to sedative medications in reducing patient anxiety prior to an anesthesia procedure, according to a Penn Medicine study published today in the journal Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine.

21 Jul 2019

Cedars-Sinai expert urges physicians and patients to manage pain without addictive pills

As the opioid epidemic continues to claim lives and shatter families across the nation, a Cedars-Sinai expert is urging physicians and patients to try managing pain without the addictive pills.

17 Jun 2019