General or regional? Exploring patients' anaesthetic preferences and perception of regional anaesthesia

Introduction and objectives: Regional anaesthesia (RA) has gained popularity due to its numerous benefits and increasing safety. Yet, often patients refuse this procedure and prefer general anaesthesia (GA). This study aimed to investigate variables (demographic factors, safety perception of GA and RA, patients' fears, anxiety, and knowledge) related to patients' anaesthetic preference. Material and methods: Participants were patients aged 18 years or more proposed to an anaesthesia appointment for preoperative assessment. Patients completed a written questionnaire before meeting the anaesthesiologist. The questionnaire asked about their preferences, fears and perceptions about RA. Results: One hundred and 2 patients agreed to participate. Mean age was 52.6 +/- 13.5 years, 57.8% were female and 44.5% had at least 12 years of education. Given the choice, 54.0% would prefer GA and 20.7% said they would refuse RA if proposed by the anaesthesiologist. Among patients who already experienced neuroaxial anaesthesia, 40.0% said they did not wish to repeat it. Patients who preferred GA over RA perceived GA to be safer than RA and expressed more anxiety towards being awake during surgery and more fear of feeling pain during surgery, of having back pain, and of needle puncture. Results also suggested that patients are unaware of RA's real risks and benefits. Conclusions: Knowing patients' fears is essential for the anaesthesiologist address their patients' needs. Anaesthesiologists should work on improving general population perspective and knowledge about RA. (C) 2018 Sociedad Espanola de Anestesiologia, Reanimacion y Terapeutica del Dolor. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L.U. All rights reserved.