According to a press release from the Hospital for Special Surgery, investigators have reported that peripheral nerve blocks may effectively reduce the rate of complications among geriatric patients undergoing total knee or hip arthroplasty who have lower comorbidity burdens. The new findings—presented by Popovic et al at the 48th Annual Regional Anesthesiology and Acute Pain Medicine Meeting—highlighted the impact that comorbidities may have on postoperative outcomes. Investigators analyzed the outcomes of 2.8 million patients who underwent total knee or hip arthroplasty procedures across three age groups: those younger than 65 years, those aged 65 to 75 years, and those older than 75 years. The researchers further broke down the patient groups based on the number of comorbidities with which they presented. After conducting their analysis, they found that 13.9% of patients younger than 65 years who had more than three comorbidities were administered peripheral nerve blocks, compared with 16.3% of patients aged 65 to 75 years who had no comorbidities. Additionally, patients older than 75 years with no comorbidities who received peripheral nerve blocks experienced the greatest reductions in surgical complications—including respiratory issues, acute renal failure, delirium, high levels of opioid use, and intensive care unit admissions. The investigators hope that their findings can help physicians identify which patients undergoing total knee or hip arthroplasty procedures may achieve the most clinical benefits from peripheral nerve blocks.