EFFECTS OF REGIONAL ANESTHESIA ON PERIOPERATIVE OUTCOME

To provide an overview of current knowledge, this article reviews expe rimental and clinical data from investigations examining effects of re gional anesthesia on perioperative morbidity in specific physiologic s ystems. The issues of morbidity and mortality following general and re gional anesthesia are addressed, as are the development of perioperati ve thrombo-embolism and blood loss, which are known to be increased du ring general anesthesia. Finally, the effects of regional anesthesia o n the vascular system, the perioperative stress response, and the pulm onary function are discussed.