Application Detail
Description of Medical Service
Blocking of pain after surgery through the release of local anaesthetics next to the nerves that are responsible for transmitting pain impulses to the brain. It is similar to a major nerve block, but with the addition of a catheter in close proximity to the relevant nerves (often within the nerve sheath).Description of Medical Condition
The procedure applies to multiple surgical procedures associated with high levels of post-operative pain, such as hip, knee and shoulder joint arthroplasty; reconstructive upper and lower limb surgery, ambulatory surgery; major breast or thoracic surgery, trauma such as rib fractures and femoral fracture; and as an alternative to epidural analgesia for open abdominal procedures.Reason for Application
New MBS itemMedical Service Type
Therapeutic technologyPrevious Application Number/s
Not ApplicableAssociated Documentation
Application Summary and PICO Set
Application Summary (PDF 505 KB)Application Summary (Word 35 KB)
Application PICO Set (PDF 809 KB)
Application PICO Set (Word 153 KB)
Consultation Survey
Consultation Survey (PDF 654 KB)Consultation Survey (Word 27 KB)
PASC Consultation
PASC consultation closed
MSAC Consultation
MSAC consultation input closed Friday, 16 February 2024.
For further information please refer to PASC, ESC, MSAC Key Dates
For further information on the consultation process please refer to MSAC Consultation Process
PICO Confirmation
PICO Confirmation (PDF 2051 KB)PICO Confirmation (Word 702 KB)
Assessment Report
-Public Summary Document
Public Summary Document (PDF 603 KB)Public Summary Document (Word 119 KB)