Perioperative use of fascial plane blocks; anesthesiology and reanimation physicians' approach in Türkiye: A national survey study.

Objectives: Our aim was to assess the approach of Turkish Anesthesiology and Reanimation Specialists to the perioperative use of truncal/fascial plane blocks (FPB) in various surgeries. A survey was designed to evaluate the perioperative management of FPBs.

Methods: Anesthesiology and Reanimation specialists and residents in various hospitals in Türkiye were surveyed on a voluntary basis. We contacted them between June 1 and September 10, 2022, using email and smartphone messenger applications. They were asked to complete a questionnaire form regarding the perioperative management of FPBs.

Results: A total of 242 anesthesiology specialists and residents responded to the survey. Most participants (42.3%) were anesthesiology specialists in 3rd level (academic, teaching, or university) hospitals. 90% of the participants use these blocks in their clinical practice. The primarily used FPBs were the erector spinae plane (ESP) (629 responses in all categories).

Conclusion: The anesthesia and reanimation specialists in Türkiye are reasonably familiar with FPBs and use these blocks frequently in clinical practice. The primarily preferred blocks seem to be ESP and TAP blocks. Lack of equipment is a major reason for the non-performance of FPBs. There is still a lack/need for additional education and training for these blocks.