Today, many types of surgery can be performed safely and painlessly while awake. A local anesthetic, also called a local anesthetic, is usually a one-time injection of a drug that numbs a small area of the body. It is used in procedures such as performing skin and breast biopsies, repairing fractures, and closing deep incisions. You will be conscious and you may feel some pressure, but you will not feel any pain in the treatment area.
What is local and regional anesthesia?
What is local and regional anesthesia?
Today, many types of surgery can be performed safely and painlessly while awake. A local anesthetic, also called a local anesthetic, is usually a one-time injection of a drug that numbs a small area of the body. It is used in procedures such as performing skin and breast biopsies, repairing fractures, and closing deep incisions. You will be conscious and you may feel some pressure, but you will not feel any pain in the treatment area.
Local anesthesia numbs a specific area of the body, while regional anesthesia numbs a larger area, such as an entire limb.
Local anesthesia is typically used for minor procedures, such as removing a mole or repairing a laceration. The medication is applied directly to the area that will be treated, or it may be injected into the area using a small needle. Local anesthesia numbs the area, allowing the patient to undergo the procedure without experiencing pain.
Regional anesthesia is similar to local anesthesia, but it numbs a larger area of the body. This can be accomplished by injecting the medication into a specific nerve or group of nerves that serve the area to be treated. For example, a common type of regional anesthesia is epidural anesthesia, which is often used during childbirth.
Both local and regional anesthesia are used to provide pain relief during surgical or other medical procedures. These types of anesthesia are generally considered safe, but like any medical procedure, there are some potential risks involved. It is important to discuss any concerns or questions you have with your doctor before undergoing any surgical or medical procedure.
When is regional & local anesthesia techniques are used?
Local anesthesia has made it possible to perform many surgical procedures quickly, reducing preparation and recovery times. General anesthesia and sedation can cause side effects such as nausea, and if you are given this type of anesthesia, your anesthesiologist should monitor you during and for some time after the procedure. However, with local anesthesia, side effects and complications are rare and usually minor. For example, you may feel pain at the injection site. Rarely, allergic reactions to anesthetics can occur.
There are some procedures that can’t be performed without general anesthesia or sedation. Other procedures may require an anesthetic that numbs a larger part of the body, such as from the waist down. This is called regional anesthesia and is used for procedures such as a cesarean delivery, also called a C-section.
But for many procedures, your doctor will recommend a local anesthetic. For others, you may have a choice. If you prefer not to be sedated, ask your surgeon or the anesthesiologist if your procedure can be performed safely and comfortably with local anesthesia. Not only will you recover and get home faster, but the procedure may be less expensive.
Sometimes local anesthesia is combined with sedation.
With nearby anesthesia, facet results and headaches are uncommon and commonly minor.
