Regional Anesthesia
Alternate Names : Regional Block, Field Block, Nerve Block, Conduction Anesthesia
Anesthesia means a loss of feeling
or inability to feel pain. Regional anesthesia or block is a method of pain
prevention in a specific part of the body, such as the hand.
Who is a candidate for the procedure?
Anyone who undergoes a painful procedure may be a candidate for a regional
block. A regional block is sometimes used for surgery in the hand or arm. It
can also be used for procedures such as
circumcision of the penis and
corneal surgery. This type of pain control is not usually used for major
operations.
How is the procedure performed?
In a regional block, medication is injected around a large nerve or nerves.
These nerves give sensation to the site of the procedure. Regional blocks are
usually done in an operating room.
Unlike local numbing, the medication is injected far away from the procedure
site. although regional blocks cause a larger area of the body to be numb than local anesthesia, the medication is the
same.
The site of the procedure is first cleaned with an antibacterial cleanser. The
local anesthesia is often injected deep into the skin or other surface. This is
where the major nerves are usually located. The medication may cause a stinging
or burning sensation at first. This discomfort lasts for just a few seconds.
It takes a few minutes for the medication to have its full effect. The person
should be unable to feel pain in the area. Regional blocks also paralyze the
muscles in the area, unlike local
anesthesia. A pressure sensation may be felt when the area is cut or
poked with needles. But pain should be absent. If pain is felt, the person
should tell the healthcare provider. More medication can be given to control
pain.
Sedative medications may be given before and during the procedure, usually
through an intravenous line, or
IV.
This helps the person relax. It also reduces the pain of the initial
injections. The numbing medication generally wears off within a few hours of
the procedure.
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