Jinlei Li, MD, PhD
Biography
Jinlei Li, MD, is an anesthesiologist and the director of regional anesthesiology for the Yale New Haven Hospital (YNHH) Saint Raphael Campus. She is a staunch advocate for upper extremity, lower extremity, neck, chest and abdominal nerve blocks for surgical patients.
Nerve blocks are a form of anesthesia that has been increasingly effective in recent years, thanks to the precision of ultrasound guidance, says Dr. Li, who is a leader at Yale in improving pain control around surgery. To administer a nerve block, the anesthesiologist follows a picture on an ultrasound monitor while injecting a hair-thin needle into the affected area of the body, sending non-opioid pain medication to bathe the nerve or nerve bundles that will be affected by the surgery.
So, instead of the sensation of pain traveling along the nerve to the brain, “the brain isn’t getting that message,” Dr. Li says. The approach is becoming a key strategy for providing better post-surgery pain control while minimizing opioid use, which many doctors say contributes to the opioid addiction epidemic.
“If we can better control the acute pain (with a nerve block during surgery), this may ease the transition to chronic pain,” Dr. Li says, adding that the approach is also resulting in shorter hospital stays, easier rehabilitation after surgery, speedier recoveries, and none of the side effects associated with general anesthesia, which affects the entire body. “I had a 79-year-old woman in carotid surgery who received a nerve block instead of general anesthesia, which would have put her to sleep, and later she was smiling in the ICU," Dr. Li says.
An assistant professor of anesthesiology at Yale School of Medicine, Dr. Li has done extensive research on peripheral nerve blocks with local anesthetic adjuvants. She continues to investigate ways to improve their use and effectiveness.
Titles
- Associate Professor of Anesthesiology
- Director of Regional Anesthesia at YNHH, Anesthesiology
- Program Director of Acute Pain Medicine Fellowship, Anesthesiology
- Director of Anesthesia and Acute Pain Medicine Service, Yale New Haven Health, Anesthesiology
Education & Training
- FellowshipYale University (2013)
- ResidencyYale University (2011)
- MDMcGill University Faculty of Medicine (2006)
- PhDState University of NY at Buffalo, Microbiology/Immunology (2002)
Languages Spoken
- 官話 / 官话 (Chinese-Mandarin)
- English
Additional Information
- AB of Anesthesiology, Anesthesiology (2012)
- Fadumiye C, Li J. Clinical education in regional anesthesia: current status and future directions. International Anesthesiology Clinics 2023, 62: 86-93. PMID: 38063040, DOI: 10.1097/aia.0000000000000425.
- Silverman M, Zwolinski N, Wang E, Lockwood N, Ancuta M, Jin E, Li J. Regional Analgesia for Cesarean Delivery: A Narrative Review Toward Enhancing Outcomes in Parturients. Journal Of Pain Research 2023, 16: 3807-3835. PMID: 38026463, PMCID: PMC10644837, DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s428332.
- Bartkowiak B, Li J. From the TAP for the Abdomen to the ESP for the Spine: Evidence-Based Medicine and the Inertia of Progress [Letter]. Journal Of Pain Research 2023, 16: 1159-1160. PMID: 37056279, PMCID: PMC10088897, DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s402316.
- Lam D, Pierson D, Salaria O, Wardhan R, Li J. Pain Control with Regional Anesthesia in Patients at Risk of Acute Compartment Syndrome: Review of the Literature and Editorial View. Journal Of Pain Research 2023, 16: 635-648. PMID: 36891457, PMCID: PMC9987529, DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s397428.
- Li J, Dai F, Zhou B, Cortes M, Baldev K. Preliminary experience on systemic effects of perineural dexamethasone sodium phosphate and methylprednisolone acetate through adductor canal block in total knee arthroplasty: A single center retrospective study. Journal Of Anaesthesiology Clinical Pharmacology 2023, 39: 385-391. PMID: 38025551, PMCID: PMC10661633, DOI: 10.4103/joacp.joacp_433_21.
- Sharma A, Dai F, Tseng L, Effraim P, Zhou B, Schonberger R, Li J. Systemic Effects of Perineural Glucocorticoids on Fasting Serum Glucose, Potassium, and White Blood Cell Count in Total Hip Arthroplasty. Journal Of Pain Research 2023, 16: 553-561. PMID: 36846205, PMCID: PMC9946012, DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s395336.
- Burzynski A, Li J. Bedside Peripheral Nerve Blockade: Overview. 2022, 45-55. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-11188-4_6.
- Zhang H, Wang J, Zhu S, Li J. Full title: The prevalence of and predictors for perioperative hypothermia in postanaesthesia care unit. Journal Of Clinical Nursing 2022, 31: 2584-2592. PMID: 34750903, DOI: 10.1111/jocn.16080.
- Del Toro-Pagán NM, Dai F, Banack T, Berlin J, Makadia SA, Rubin LE, Zhou B, Huynh P, Li J. Perineural Methylprednisolone Depot Formulation Decreases Opioid Consumption After Total Knee Arthroplasty. Journal Of Pain Research 2022, 15: 2537-2546. PMID: 36061486, PMCID: PMC9432382, DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s378243.
- Shao P, Li H, Shi R, Li J, Wang Y. Understanding fascial anatomy and interfascial communication: implications in regional anesthesia. Journal Of Anesthesia 2022, 36: 554-563. PMID: 35697947, DOI: 10.1007/s00540-022-03082-3.
- Neuman MD, Feng R, Ellenberg SS, Sieber F, Sessler DI, Magaziner J, Elkassabany N, Schwenk ES, Dillane D, Marcantonio ER, Menio D, Ayad S, Hassan M, Stone T, Papp S, Donegan D, Marshall M, Jaffe JD, Luke C, Sharma B, Azim S, Hymes R, Chin KJ, Sheppard R, Perlman B, Sappenfield J, Hauck E, Hoeft MA, Tierney A, Gaskins LJ, Horan AD, Brown T, Dattilo J, Carson JL, Looke T, Bent S, Franco-Mora A, Hedrick P, Newbern M, Tadros R, Pealer K, Vlassakov K, Buckley C, Gavin L, Gorbatov S, Gosnell J, Steen T, Vafai A, Zeballos J, Hruslinski J, Cardenas L, Berry A, Getchell J, Quercetti N, Bajracharya G, Billow D, Bloomfield M, Cuko E, Elyaderani MK, Hampton R, Honar H, Khoshknabi D, Kim D, Krahe D, Lew MM, Maheshwer CB, Niazi A, Saha P, Salih A, de Swart RJ, Volio A, Bolkus K, DeAngelis M, Dodson G, Gerritsen J, McEniry B, Mitrev L, Kwofie MK, Belliveau A, Bonazza F, Lloyd V, Panek I, Dabiri J, Chavez C, Craig J, Davidson T, Dietrichs C, Fleetwood C, Foley M, Getto C, Hailes S, Hermes S, Hooper A, Koener G, Kohls K, Law L, Lipp A, Losey A, Nelson W, Nieto M, Rogers P, Rutman S, Scales G, Sebastian B, Stanciu T, Lobel G, Giampiccolo M, Herman D, Kaufman M, Murphy B, Pau C, Puzio T, Veselsky M, Apostle K, Boyer D, Fan BC, Lee S, Lemke M, Merchant R, Moola F, Payne K, Perey B, Viskontas D, Poler M, D'Antonio P, O'Neill G, Abdullah A, Fish-Fuhrmann J, Giska M, Fidkowski C, Guthrie ST, Hakeos W, Hayes L, Hoegler J, Nowak K, Beck J, Cuff J, Gaski G, Haaser S, Holzman M, Malekzadeh AS, Ramsey L, Schulman J, Schwartzbach C, Azefor T, Davani A, Jaberi M, Masear C, Haider SB, Chungu C, Ebrahimi A, Fikry K, Marcantonio A, Shelvan A, Sanders D, Clarke C, Lawendy A, Schwartz G, Garg M, Kim J, Caruci J, Commeh E, Cuevas R, Cuff G, Franco L, Furgiuele D, Giuca M, Allman M, Barzideh O, Cossaro J, D'Arduini A, Farhi A, Gould J, Kafel J, Patel A, Peller A, Reshef H, Safur M, Toscano F, Tedore T, Akerman M, Brumberger E, Clark S, Friedlander R, Jegarl A, Lane J, Lyden JP, Mehta N, Murrell MT, Painter N, Ricci W, Sbrollini K, Sharma R, Steel PAD, Steinkamp M, Weinberg R, Wellman DS, Nader A, Fitzgerald P, Ritz M, Bryson G, Craig A, Farhat C, Gammon B, Gofton W, Harris N, Lalonde K, Liew A, Meulenkamp B, Sonnenburg K, Wai E, Wilkin G, Troxell K, Alderfer ME, Brannen J, Cupitt C, Gerhart S, McLin R, Sheidy J, Yurick K, Chen F, Dragert K, Kiss G, Malveaux H, McCloskey D, Mellender S, Mungekar SS, Noveck H, Sagebien C, Biby L, McKelvy G, Richards A, Abola R, Ayala B, Halper D, Mavarez A, Rizwan S, Choi S, Awad I, Flynn B, Henry P, Jenkinson R, Kaustov L, Lappin E, McHardy P, Singh A, Donnelly J, Gonzalez M, Haydel C, Livelsberger J, Pazionis T, Slattery B, Vazquez-Trejo M, Baratta J, Cirullo M, Deiling B, Deschamps L, Glick M, Katz D, Krieg J, Lessin J, Mojica J, Torjman M, Jin R, Salpeter MJ, Powell M, Simmons J, Lawson P, Kukreja P, Graves S, Sturdivant A, Bryant A, Crump SJ, Verrier M, Green J, Menon M, Applegate R, Arias A, Pineiro N, Uppington J, Wolinsky P, Gunnett A, Hagen J, Harris S, Hollen K, Holloway B, Horodyski MB, Pogue T, Ramani R, Smith C, Woods A, Warrick M, Flynn K, Mongan P, Ranganath Y, Fernholz S, Ingersoll-Weng E, Marian A, Seering M, Sibenaller Z, Stout L, Wagner A, Walter A, Wong C, Orwig D, Goud M, Helker C, Mezenghie L, Montgomery B, Preston P, Schwartz JS, Weber R, Fleisher LA, Mehta S, Stephens-Shields AJ, Dinh C, Chelly JE, Goel S, Goncz W, Kawabe T, Khetarpal S, Monroe A, Shick V, Breidenstein M, Dominick T, Friend A, Mathews D, Lennertz R, Sanders R, Akere H, Balweg T, Bo A, Doro C, Goodspeed D, Lang G, Parker M, Rettammel A, Roth M, White M, Whiting P, Allen BFS, Baker T, Craven D, McEvoy M, Turnbo T, Kates S, Morgan M, Willoughby T, Weigel W, Auyong D, Fox E, Welsh T, Cusson B, Dobson S, Edwards C, Harris L, Henshaw D, Johnson K, McKinney G, Miller S, Reynolds J, Segal BS, Turner J, VanEenenaam D, Weller R, Lei J, Treggiari M, Akhtar S, Blessing M, Johnson C, Kampp M, Kunze K, O'Connor M, Looke T, Tadros R, Vlassakov K, Cardenas L, Bolkus K, Mitrev L, Kwofie MK, Dabiri J, Lobel G, Poler M, Giska M, Sanders D, Schwartz G, Giuca M, Tedore T, Nader A, Bryson G, Troxell K, Kiss G, Choi S, Powell M, Applegate R, Warrick M, Ranganath Y, Chelly JE, Lennertz R, Sanders R, Allen BFS, Kates S, Weigel W, Li J, Wijeysundera DN, Kheterpal S, Moore RH, Smith AK, Tosi LL, Looke T, Mehta S, Fleisher L, Hruslinski J, Ramsey L, Langlois C, Mezenghie L, Montgomery B, Oduwole S, Rose T. Pain, Analgesic Use, and Patient Satisfaction With Spinal Versus General Anesthesia for Hip Fracture Surgery : A Randomized Clinical Trial. Annals Of Internal Medicine 2022, 175: 952-960. PMID: 35696684, DOI: 10.7326/M22-0320.
- Li H, Wang Y, Oprea AD, Li J. Postdural Puncture Headache—Risks and Current Treatment. Current Pain And Headache Reports 2022, 26: 441-452. PMID: 35353358, DOI: 10.1007/s11916-022-01041-x.
- Baldev K, Dai F, Barrett C, Zhou B, Shah M, Howie B, Boominathan P, Zhao X, Li J. Glucocorticoid minimizes local anesthetic infusion requirement through adductor canal block and improves perioperative prosthetic joint range of motion in total knee arthroplasty. PLOS ONE 2022, 17: e0261949. PMID: 35081134, PMCID: PMC8791457, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0261949.
- Neuman MD, Feng R, Carson JL, Gaskins LJ, Dillane D, Sessler DI, Sieber F, Magaziner J, Marcantonio ER, Mehta S, Menio D, Ayad S, Stone T, Papp S, Schwenk ES, Elkassabany N, Marshall M, Jaffe JD, Luke C, Sharma B, Azim S, Hymes RA, Chin KJ, Sheppard R, Perlman B, Sappenfield J, Hauck E, Hoeft MA, Giska M, Ranganath Y, Tedore T, Choi S, Li J, Kwofie MK, Nader A, Sanders RD, Allen BFS, Vlassakov K, Kates S, Fleisher LA, Dattilo J, Tierney A, Stephens-Shields AJ, Ellenberg SS. Spinal Anesthesia or General Anesthesia for Hip Surgery in Older Adults. The New England Journal Of Medicine 2021, 385: 2025-2035. PMID: 34623788, DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2113514.
- Li J, Dai F, Schonberger RB. Transmuscular Quadratus Lumborum Block in Total Hip Replacement. The Clinical Journal Of Pain 2021, 37: 940-941. PMID: 34757344, DOI: 10.1097/ajp.0000000000000984.
- Jin Y, Zhao S, Cai J, Blessing M, Zhao X, Tan H, Li J. Erector Spinae Plane Block for Perioperative Pain Control and Short-term Outcomes in Lumbar Laminoplasty: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Journal Of Pain Research 2021, 14: 2717-2727. PMID: 34512011, PMCID: PMC8423490, DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s321514.
- Li J, Sharma A, Credaroli E, Vadivelu N, Liu H. Ultrasound Guided Brachial Plexus Block. 2021, 121-128. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-46839-2_13.
- Transmuscular Quadratus Lumborum and Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve Block in Total Hip ArthroplastyLi J, Dai F, Ayala K, Zhou B, Schonberger RB, Sharma A. Transmuscular Quadratus Lumborum and Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve Block in Total Hip Arthroplasty. The Clinical Journal Of Pain 2021, 37: 366-371. PMID: 33577193, PMCID: PMC8035232, DOI: 10.1097/ajp.0000000000000923.
- Tang S, Li JL, Zhang YG, Huang YG. A single-operator technique in ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia. Chinese Medical Journal 2020, 134: 734-735. PMID: 33109955, PMCID: PMC7990013, DOI: 10.1097/cm9.0000000000001186.
- Li J, Krishna R, Zhang Y, Lam D, Vadivelu N. Ultrasound-Guided Neuraxial Anesthesia. Current Pain And Headache Reports 2020, 24: 59. PMID: 32812182, DOI: 10.1007/s11916-020-00895-3.
- Li J, Oprea AD. Periprocedural management of patients on oral anticoagulation: focus on regional anesthesia. Polish Archives Of Internal Medicine 2020, 130: 1081-1092. PMID: 32491305, DOI: 10.20452/pamw.15416.
- Liu Y, Yang S, Yao W, Zhang S, Wang S, Li J, Mei W. Minimum effective dose of plain bupivacaine 0.5% for ultrasound-guided spinal anaesthesia using Taylor's approach. British Journal Of Anaesthesia 2020, 124: e230-e231. PMID: 32252980, DOI: 10.1016/j.bja.2020.03.008.
- Morris JC, Moore A, Kahan J, Shapiro M, Li J, Spadaccino B, Baumgaertner M, O'Connor MI. Integrated Fragility Hip Fracture Program: A Model for High Quality Care. Journal Of Hospital Medicine 2020, 15: 461-467. PMID: 32118555, DOI: 10.12788/jhm.3365.
- Liu H, Brown M, Sun L, Patel SP, Li J, Cornett EM, Urman RD, Fox CJ, Kaye AD. Complications and liability related to regional and neuraxial anesthesia. Best Practice & Research. Clinical Anaesthesiology 2019, 33: 487-497. PMID: 31791565, DOI: 10.1016/j.bpa.2019.07.007.
- Liu H, Emelife PI, Prabhakar A, Moll V, Kendrick JB, Parr AT, Hyatali F, Pankaj T, Li J, Cornett EM, Urman RD, Fox CJ, Kaye AD. Regional anesthesia considerations for cardiac surgery. Best Practice & Research. Clinical Anaesthesiology 2019, 33: 387-406. PMID: 31791558, DOI: 10.1016/j.bpa.2019.07.008.
- Li J, Lee K, Chang D, Boominathan P, Banack T. A Breast Cancer Survivor’s Self-Controlled Case Report: Methylprednisolone Acetate Provided a Week Longer Analgesia Than Dexamethasone Sodium Phosphate via Thoracic Paravertebral Blockade. Cureus 2019, 11: e6085. PMID: 31853436, PMCID: PMC6894892, DOI: 10.7759/cureus.6085.
- Li J, Li L, Zhang X, Li C, He D, Zhang J, Duan C, Perese F, Burzynski A, Wu CL, Dai F, Xue Y. Paravertebral Block with Compound Betamethasone in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Double-blind Randomized Controlled Trial. Cureus 2019, 11: e6023. PMID: 31824791, PMCID: PMC6886661, DOI: 10.7759/cureus.6023.
- Li J, Rubin LE, Mariano ER. Essential elements of an outpatient total joint replacement programme. Current Opinion In Anaesthesiology 2019, 32: 643-648. PMID: 31356361, DOI: 10.1097/aco.0000000000000774.
- Zorrilla-Vaca A, Marmolejo-Posso D, Stone A, Li J, Grant MC. Perioperative Dextrose Infusion and Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting. Anesthesia & Analgesia 2019, Publish Ahead of Print: &na;. PMID: 30649067, DOI: 10.1213/ane.0000000000004019.
- Li J, Lam D, King H, Credaroli E, Harmon E, Vadivelu N. Novel Regional Anesthesia for Outpatient Surgery. Current Pain And Headache Reports 2019, 23: 69. PMID: 31372836, DOI: 10.1007/s11916-019-0809-6.
- Li J, Tang S, Lam D, Hergrueter A, Dennis J, Liu H. Novel utilization of fascial layer blocks in hip and knee procedures. Best Practice & Research Clinical Anaesthesiology 2019, 33: 539-551. PMID: 31791569, DOI: 10.1016/j.bpa.2019.07.010.
- Lin L, Li G, Li J, Meng L. Tourniquet-induced tissue hypoxia characterized by near-infrared spectroscopy during ankle surgery: an observational study. BMC Anesthesiology 2019, 19: 70. PMID: 31077128, PMCID: PMC6511202, DOI: 10.1186/s12871-019-0740-8.
- Li J, Dai F, Chang D, Harmon E, Ibe I, Sukumar N, Halaszynski TM, Rubin LE, OʼConnor M. A Practical Analgesia Approach to Fragility Hip Fracture. Journal Of Orthopaedic Trauma 2019, Publish Ahead of Print: &na;. PMID: 30570615, DOI: 10.1097/bot.0000000000001391.
- Li J, Perese F, Rubin LE, Carlyle D. Effective Pain Management After Total Hip Arthroplasty in a Sickle Cell Patient Emphasizing Dexamethasone Sodium Phosphate/Methylprednisolone Acetate Administered via a Peripheral Nerve Blockade: A Case Report. A&A Practice 2019, 12: 171-175. PMID: 30153113, DOI: 10.1213/XAA.0000000000000877.
- Huang J, Li J, Wang H. The Principles and Procedures of Ultrasound-guided Anesthesia Techniques. Cureus 2018, 10: e2980. PMID: 30237941, PMCID: PMC6141058, DOI: 10.7759/cureus.2980.
- Zorrilla-Vaca A, Li J. The role of sciatic nerve block to complement femoral nerve block in total knee arthroplasty: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Journal Of Anesthesia 2018, 32: 341-350. PMID: 29520522, DOI: 10.1007/s00540-018-2480-1.
- Zorrilla-Vaca A, Li J. Dexamethasone Injected Perineurally is More Effective than Administered Intravenously for Peripheral Nerve Blocks. The Clinical Journal Of Pain 2018, 34: 276-284. PMID: 28591086, DOI: 10.1097/ajp.0000000000000519.
- Chang D, Legler A, Jolly S, Li J. Incidental lumbar epidural catheter migration through a sacral foramen and its subsequent direct visualization during surgery. Journal Of Clinical Anesthesia 2018, 46: 52-53. PMID: 29414617, DOI: 10.1016/j.jclinane.2018.01.017.
- Hu X, Li J, Zhou R, Wang Q, Xia F, Halaszynski T, Xu X. Dexmedetomidine Added to Local Anesthetic Mixture of Lidocaine and Ropivacaine Enhances Onset and Prolongs Duration of a Popliteal Approach to Sciatic Nerve Blockade. Clinical Therapeutics 2016, 39: 89-97.e1. PMID: 27955918, DOI: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2016.11.011.
- Foldes P, Doty J, Li J. Regional Analgesia for Orthopedic Surgery. 2016, 37-42. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-34109-5_6.
- Zorrilla-Vaca A, Grant MC, Mathur V, Li J, Wu CL. The Impact of Neuraxial Versus General Anesthesia on the Incidence of Postoperative Surgical Site Infections Following Knee or Hip Arthroplasty. Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine 2016, 41: 555-563. PMID: 27380106, DOI: 10.1097/aap.0000000000000437.
- Li J, Halaszynski T. Neuraxial and peripheral nerve blocks in patients taking anticoagulant or thromboprophylactic drugs: challenges and solutions. Local And Regional Anesthesia 2015, Volume 8: 21-32. PMID: 26347411, PMCID: PMC4531015, DOI: 10.2147/lra.s55306.
- Foldes P, Doty J, Li J. Regional Analgesia for Orthopedic Surgery. 2015, 1-6. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-15206-6_6-1.
- Regional anesthesia for acute pain management in elderly patientsLi J, Halaszynski TM. World J Anesthesiol 2014; 3(1): 82-95
- Li J. Trazodone. 2010, 351-352. DOI: 10.1017/cbo9780511841378.086.
- Hellman KM, Ciganda M, Brown SV, Li J, Ruyechan W, Williams N. Two Trypanosome-Specific Proteins Are Essential Factors for 5S rRNA Abundance and Ribosomal Assembly in Trypanosoma brucei▿. MSphere 2007, 6: 1766-1772. PMID: 17715362, PMCID: PMC2043393, DOI: 10.1128/ec.00119-07.
- Brown SV, Hosking P, Li J, Williams N. ATP Synthase Is Responsible for Maintaining Mitochondrial Membrane Potential in Bloodstream Form Trypanosoma brucei. MSphere 2006, 5: 45-53. PMID: 16400167, PMCID: PMC1360250, DOI: 10.1128/ec.5.1.45-53.2006.
- Li J, Ruyechan WT, Williams N. Stage-specific translational efficiency and protein stability regulate the developmental expression of p37, an RNA binding protein from Trypanosoma brucei. Biochemical And Biophysical Research Communications 2003, 306: 918-923. PMID: 12821129, DOI: 10.1016/s0006-291x(03)01084-2.
Biography
Jinlei Li, MD, is an anesthesiologist and the director of regional anesthesiology for the Yale New Haven Hospital (YNHH) Saint Raphael Campus. She is a staunch advocate for upper extremity, lower extremity, neck, chest and abdominal nerve blocks for surgical patients.
Nerve blocks are a form of anesthesia that has been increasingly effective in recent years, thanks to the precision of ultrasound guidance, says Dr. Li, who is a leader at Yale in improving pain control around surgery. To administer a nerve block, the anesthesiologist follows a picture on an ultrasound monitor while injecting a hair-thin needle into the affected area of the body, sending non-opioid pain medication to bathe the nerve or nerve bundles that will be affected by the surgery.
So, instead of the sensation of pain traveling along the nerve to the brain, “the brain isn’t getting that message,” Dr. Li says. The approach is becoming a key strategy for providing better post-surgery pain control while minimizing opioid use, which many doctors say contributes to the opioid addiction epidemic.
“If we can better control the acute pain (with a nerve block during surgery), this may ease the transition to chronic pain,” Dr. Li says, adding that the approach is also resulting in shorter hospital stays, easier rehabilitation after surgery, speedier recoveries, and none of the side effects associated with general anesthesia, which affects the entire body. “I had a 79-year-old woman in carotid surgery who received a nerve block instead of general anesthesia, which would have put her to sleep, and later she was smiling in the ICU," Dr. Li says.
An assistant professor of anesthesiology at Yale School of Medicine, Dr. Li has done extensive research on peripheral nerve blocks with local anesthetic adjuvants. She continues to investigate ways to improve their use and effectiveness.
Titles
- Associate Professor of Anesthesiology
- Director of Regional Anesthesia at YNHH, Anesthesiology
- Program Director of Acute Pain Medicine Fellowship, Anesthesiology
- Director of Anesthesia and Acute Pain Medicine Service, Yale New Haven Health, Anesthesiology
Education & Training
- FellowshipYale University (2013)
- ResidencyYale University (2011)
- MDMcGill University Faculty of Medicine (2006)
- PhDState University of NY at Buffalo, Microbiology/Immunology (2002)
Languages Spoken
- 官話 / 官话 (Chinese-Mandarin)
- English
Additional Information
- AB of Anesthesiology, Anesthesiology (2012)
- Fadumiye C, Li J. Clinical education in regional anesthesia: current status and future directions. International Anesthesiology Clinics 2023, 62: 86-93. PMID: 38063040, DOI: 10.1097/aia.0000000000000425.
- Silverman M, Zwolinski N, Wang E, Lockwood N, Ancuta M, Jin E, Li J. Regional Analgesia for Cesarean Delivery: A Narrative Review Toward Enhancing Outcomes in Parturients. Journal Of Pain Research 2023, 16: 3807-3835. PMID: 38026463, PMCID: PMC10644837, DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s428332.
- Bartkowiak B, Li J. From the TAP for the Abdomen to the ESP for the Spine: Evidence-Based Medicine and the Inertia of Progress [Letter]. Journal Of Pain Research 2023, 16: 1159-1160. PMID: 37056279, PMCID: PMC10088897, DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s402316.
- Lam D, Pierson D, Salaria O, Wardhan R, Li J. Pain Control with Regional Anesthesia in Patients at Risk of Acute Compartment Syndrome: Review of the Literature and Editorial View. Journal Of Pain Research 2023, 16: 635-648. PMID: 36891457, PMCID: PMC9987529, DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s397428.
- Li J, Dai F, Zhou B, Cortes M, Baldev K. Preliminary experience on systemic effects of perineural dexamethasone sodium phosphate and methylprednisolone acetate through adductor canal block in total knee arthroplasty: A single center retrospective study. Journal Of Anaesthesiology Clinical Pharmacology 2023, 39: 385-391. PMID: 38025551, PMCID: PMC10661633, DOI: 10.4103/joacp.joacp_433_21.
- Sharma A, Dai F, Tseng L, Effraim P, Zhou B, Schonberger R, Li J. Systemic Effects of Perineural Glucocorticoids on Fasting Serum Glucose, Potassium, and White Blood Cell Count in Total Hip Arthroplasty. Journal Of Pain Research 2023, 16: 553-561. PMID: 36846205, PMCID: PMC9946012, DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s395336.
- Burzynski A, Li J. Bedside Peripheral Nerve Blockade: Overview. 2022, 45-55. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-11188-4_6.
- Zhang H, Wang J, Zhu S, Li J. Full title: The prevalence of and predictors for perioperative hypothermia in postanaesthesia care unit. Journal Of Clinical Nursing 2022, 31: 2584-2592. PMID: 34750903, DOI: 10.1111/jocn.16080.
- Del Toro-Pagán NM, Dai F, Banack T, Berlin J, Makadia SA, Rubin LE, Zhou B, Huynh P, Li J. Perineural Methylprednisolone Depot Formulation Decreases Opioid Consumption After Total Knee Arthroplasty. Journal Of Pain Research 2022, 15: 2537-2546. PMID: 36061486, PMCID: PMC9432382, DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s378243.
- Shao P, Li H, Shi R, Li J, Wang Y. Understanding fascial anatomy and interfascial communication: implications in regional anesthesia. Journal Of Anesthesia 2022, 36: 554-563. PMID: 35697947, DOI: 10.1007/s00540-022-03082-3.
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