Dr. Barrie S. Rich, MD

- Pediatric Surgeon, Assistant Professor, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Cohen Children’s Medical Center

What was your initial impression when the pediatric anesthesiologists you worked with started doing nerve blocks? Were you open or resistant to the idea?

Open

 

What surprised you or what did you like about nerve blocks?

Ability to decrease use of opioids

  

How did you become a believer in the routine use of regional anesthesia?

Our group looked at the data and showed improved outcomes. It became our standard practice and the anesthesiologists became more facile at the procedure.

Do you have any advice for pediatric anesthesiologists trying to convince other surgeons of the benefits of pediatric regional techniques?

They help with reduction of opioid use and after a brief learning curve, does not significantly increase time in OR.