Terminal anesthesia is one of the varieties of local anesthesia. In order to carry out the necessary manipulations in a certain area of the body and not feel pain, it is enough to simply lubricate the skin or mucous membranes with a special solution. This method of anesthesia has been widely used in dentistry, ophthalmology, otolaryngology. It is also used during bronchoscopy, gastroscopy, cystoscopy, laryngoscopy.
general characteristics
Almost all people are afraid of pain - some more, others less, because this is a natural phenomenon. Fear is laid in man by nature itself for survival. But this, of course, does not mean that a person should make heroic efforts and put up with discomfort or endure severe pain. In order to get rid of pain, there is such a method of pain relief as terminal anesthesia.
In complex operations, anesthesia is used. But it harms the human body to some extent, and it is quite difficult for the patient to get out of it. Therefore, if the procedure is simple enough and done quickly, it is better to use local anesthesia - terminal. In this case, only some specific part of the body is anesthetized, while the patient is fully conscious. For those who are afraid of pain, this is a real salvation.
Surgical Application
The named method is most often used for superficial surgical interventions. In this case, the anesthetic acts on the surface where terminal local anesthesia is performed , for a short time - about 15-25 minutes.
This method of analgesia is not suitable for operations that last longer. And in order to slightly prolong the effect of the anesthetic, adrenaline is sometimes added to it. This drug causes capillary spasm and impairs blood flow for a while. Due to the fact that the drug solution is not absorbed into the general bloodstream, its effect is prolonged.
Quite often, Lidocaine solution is used to conduct local terminal anesthesia. Other local anesthetics may also be used. “Novocaine” was widely used before, now it is rarely used.
Terminal anesthesia: drugs
So that the patient does not feel pain during procedures and small operations, the following anesthetic drugs are used:
- Lidocaine
- Dikain;
- "Anestezin";
- "Novocaine";
- "Trimekain."
Using any of these tools, terminal anesthesia is quite simple. The main thing is that you need to know the doctor - what is the concentration of the drug and the amount of time necessary for it to work.
How is superficial analgesia performed?
As already mentioned, Lidocaine solution is most suitable for terminal anesthesia. To anesthetize the surface of the skin and mucous membranes, the drug must have a concentration of 2.5 or 10%.
The tool is applied in various ways. They can simply lubricate the skin, moisten a cotton pad and apply it to the mucous membrane or simply spray it through an aerosol. How the drug will be applied depends on where the operated area is located, as well as what means the doctor has. Such methods are much more convenient than injections of Novocain.
For example, to anesthetize a surgical procedure on the conjunctiva of the eye, the doctor instills them, and if surgery is needed on the cervix, then a cotton swab is impregnated with an anesthetic solution and injected into the patient's vagina. By the way, to provide first aid for eye injuries, Novocaine is best suited for relieving pain. And for the diagnosis in ophthalmology (to relieve pain), the analogue of Novocain is used - Oxybuprocain. This drug has a stronger analgesic effect.
Allergy testing
But before applying terminal anesthesia, allergy tests are performed to determine if the patient has an undesirable reaction to this drug.
The fact is that anesthetics for local anesthesia have a significant drawback - they can cause acute allergic reactions in some patients. But this applies more to Novocain. "Lidocaine" and other drugs based on it become the cause of allergies much less frequently.
When pain relief is needed
Terminal anesthesia is needed for superficial operations, when there is no need for general anesthesia . This method of protecting against pain during procedures is very convenient and not complicated. The drug is simply applied to the mucous membranes or skin, which should be anesthetized.
In this case, there is no need to make an injection, which in itself causes not very pleasant sensations. Children are especially afraid of this and begin to cry from only one type of syringe with a needle. When using Lidocaine, which is simply sprayed or applied to the skin, children take it calmly.
Types of Terminal Anesthesia
With different procedures, different methods of called anesthesia are used:
- For simple operations in otorhinolaryngology, Dikain is used. When it is necessary to remove adenoids, a solution of this drug is used to lubricate the mucous membrane.
- If the gynecological operation will be performed on the cervix, a cotton swab, previously saturated with an anesthetic, is placed in the vagina. The same thing is done before surgery in the vagina itself.
- Terminal anesthesia in the form of a special gel with anesthetic is applied to the gums when it is necessary to remove a milk tooth. Such teeth, when they stagger, are removed almost painlessly. The gel is applied simply to avoid discomfort on the gums.
- Another type of terminal anesthesia is eye drops, which include Oxybuprocain. They are buried directly in the eyes before performing conjunctival surgery. Also in this case, drops with tetracaine and lidocaine are used.
- With the introduction of urinary catheters, their surface is also lubricated with an anesthetic, which makes the procedure less painful.
To summarize
So, terminal anesthesia is the simplest and fastest type of local anesthesia, which is used for simple operations and procedures. In this case, the anesthetic is applied directly to the area of the skin where surgery is planned. Such anesthesia is ideal for young children who are afraid of injections.
In order for the anesthetic to last longer, adrenaline should be added to it. Before applying the solution to the mucous membranes or skin, you need to check whether the patient has an allergy to this drug, in order to subsequently avoid Quincke's edema or anaphylactic shock.