Have you ever wondered how to avoid the most common mistakes when performing a nerve block? Or how artificial intelligence could transform regional anaesthesia in the coming years?
And what do we really know about how nerve injuries occur? Is rebound pain an inevitable consequence of an effective block? What specific challenges does regional anaesthesia present in paediatric patients?
If any of these questions sound familiar, there are 5 sessions in the ESRA 2026 programme that may be of particular interest to you.
1. How can you avoid mistakes when performing a nerve block?
Even commonly used techniques can present challenges. Understanding the most frequent mistakes and how to avoid them can help optimise clinical practice.
E31 – Tips & Tricks: Avoid Simple Mistakes When Blocking
📅 Friday, 11 September
🕘 09:20–09:50
📍 Track E
Topic to watch: The ultimate block tips
Moderator: David Silva Meireles
Speaker: Peter Merjavy
2. How could artificial intelligence change regional anaesthesia?
AI is already entering clinical practice, but what role will it play in regional anaesthesia? From machine learning and large language models to augmented reality, this session will explore current applications and possible future scenarios.
RA and AI
📅 Thursday, 10 September
🕓 16:00–17:40
📍 Track B
Topics to watch: LLM/ML · regional anaesthesia in 2036 · clinical applications · augmented reality
Moderator: Paolo Grossi
Speakers: Dmytro Dmytriiev · Rajnish Gupta · Vicente Roques · Peter Marhofer
Featured talk: Vicente Roques — How I use it in my daily routine
3. How do nerve injuries occur?
Nerve injury remains a complication that raises important questions in regional anaesthesia. Understanding the mechanisms that can lead to nerve damage is an essential step towards improving procedural safety.
F16 – Ask the Expert: Nerve Injury
📅 Wednesday, 9 September
🕓 16:00–16:40
📍 Track F
Topic to watch: How nerves are damaged
Moderator: Jens Borglum
Speaker: Xavier Sala-Blanch
4. Is rebound pain inevitable after a nerve block?
Rebound pain continues to generate debate. Is it simply a physiological consequence of an effective block, or is there room to prevent it and improve pain control once the effect of the block wears off?
B24 – Pro-Con Debate: Rebound Pain – The Price of a Good Block or a Preventable Complication
📅 Thursday, 10 September
🕑 14:00–14:45
📍 Track B
Topics to watch: rebound pain · postoperative pain · block outcomes · prevention
Moderator: Brian O’Donnell
Speakers: Edward Mariano · Vishal Uppal
5. What challenges does regional anaesthesia present in paediatric patients?
Paediatric patients have specific needs that may require different approaches to regional anaesthesia. This session will explore some of these challenges, with a particular focus on awake paediatric surgery.
E14 – Ask the Expert: Challenges in Pediatric Regional Anaesthesia
📅 Wednesday, 9 September
🕑 14:00–14:40
📍 Track E
Topic to watch: Awake pediatric surgery
Moderator: Hana Harazim
Speaker: Peter Marhofer
The future of regional anaesthesia
ESRA 2026 will be an opportunity to explore these and other questions, share experiences and discuss the challenges shaping the evolution of regional anaesthesia.
Want to explore more content on anaesthesia? Discover more by clicking here.
