Local anesthesia is a temporary loss of pain in a certain area of the body. With this type of anesthesia, the patient is conscious, but does not feel any pain. Local anesthesia is used during simple and short-term operations, as well as in the presence of contraindications for general anesthesia.
Local anesthesia: types
- Epidural anesthesia is a conduction anesthesia, the effect of which is achieved due to drug blockade of the spinal root. With this type of anesthesia, with the help of a special catheter, an anesthetic is injected into the epidural space located between the vertebrae. The effect of the drug occurs in 10-25 minutes. Apply when carrying out various types of operations in all areas of medicine.
- Terminal anesthesia is anesthesia, which is performed with a direct impact on the tissue of the necessary organ. As a rule, this type of anesthesia is performed by lubricating the surface of the mucosa or by instilling the necessary anesthetic. It is often used in dental, ophthalmic and urological practice.
- Spinal anesthesia is a type of anesthesia, the effect of which is achieved by the introduction of an anesthetic into the subarachnoid space by performing spinal puncture. Quite often used in operations on the pelvic organs, genitourinary system and abdominal cavity. But this local anesthesia is unsafe, since there is a risk of blockade of the vasomotor and respiratory centers.
- Intravenous anesthesia is a type of regional anesthesia performed by injecting an anesthetic into a vein. It is used for small and less traumatic operations on the limbs.
- Conduction anesthesia is the direct injection of novocaine into the nerve or into the tissues surrounding it. Most often, such anesthesia is used in operations on the upper extremities and on the fingers.
- Intercostal anesthesia is the introduction of anesthetic into the intercostal space. Apply for damage to the chest, fracture of the ribs.
- Intraosseous anesthesia is one of the options for intravenous anesthesia, performed by injecting anesthetic into the spongy bone, which after some time fills all the veins of the limbs, as a result of which pain relief occurs.
Local anesthesia: contraindications
- Allergy to drugs used in local anesthesia.
- The presence of purulent formations at the puncture site.
- Shock state.
- Hypotension.
- In some cases, obesity and spinal deformities.
Local anesthesia: complications
- The defeat of the human nervous system, which is accompanied by drowsiness, ringing in the ears and dizziness. Cramps can sometimes occur.
- Allergic reactions in the form of manifestations on the patient's body of rashes, accompanied by itching. In severe situations, anaphylactic shock is possible.
- Lowering blood pressure, which can lead to cardiovascular collapse.
- The appearance of bradycardia, which can lead to cardiac arrest.
Note: one of the most popular types of general anesthesia is endotracheal anesthesia, which is performed by supplying a narcotic substance and oxygen through a tube inserted directly into the trachea without involving the nasal and oral cavities in this process.