A French Nationwide Survey on Anesthesiologist-Perceived Barriers to the Use of Epidural and Paravertebral Block in Thoracic Surgery

ObjectivesTo explore the barriers to the use of epidural block (EDB) or paravertebral block (PVB) for thoracotomy or thoracoscopy.DesignCross-sectional ancillary study.SettingFrench nationwide practice survey.ParticipantsLead anesthesiologists at centers practicing thoracic surgery completed an online questionnaire.InterventionsA 9-item electronic questionnaire regarding perceived barriers to the use of EDB and PVB was developed, including technical factors, nursing factors (training and supervision), and reluctance of non-anesthesiologist colleagues (eg, surgeons, nurses and hospital managers). Descriptive and factorial analyses were conducted, including the current use of the techniques in the model.Measurements and Main ResultsThe questionnaire was answered by 84 of 103 (82%) centers. For both techniques, the most frequently cited barriers were the 4 technical ones and lack of nursing supervision. There was a high rate of do not know/no opinion responses regarding barriers to paravertebral block. The type of center did not influence the responses, but paravertebral block was used more often in university hospitals. Colleague reluctance and time consumption (for both techniques), nursing barriers (for epidural block), and perception of risk and complexity (for paravertebral block), were correlated inversely with actual use. Perception of cost had no influence on practice.ConclusionsThis survey suggested that the use of epidural or paravertebral block to provide analgesia for thoracic surgery might be increased by multimodal actions focused on improved communication with surgical and managerial teams. Paravertebral block, as an emerging technique, still is insufficiently recognized in France.