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SMC Dept of Anesthesia Regional Anesthesia Information |
Frequently asked questions
about Regional Anesthesia
A. TYPES OF ANESTHESIA
LOCAL- Some, but not all surgeries can be performed under a local anesthetic.
An anesthesiologist is not present for this particular type of anesthetic. The
surgeon infiltrates a local anesthetic into the surgical site. No intravenous
sedation is administered.
MAC- ( Monitored anesthetic care) Surgeries that are too extensive for
just local anesthesia, but do not require a general anesthetic, may be performed
under MAC.
An anesthesiologist is present and supplements the surgeons local infiltration
with intravenous sedation. Many patients sleep right through the procedure and
are unaware of their surroundings.
GETA-(General) A general anesthetic is one in which the patient is rendered
unconscious by medicines delivered via an iv or via the inhalation of gases
through a face mask. The anesthesiologist is present at all times to ensure
that the patient is safe, painfree, and without recollection of the surgical
procedure.
REGIONAL- Many patients prefer to be awake enough to watch their surgery.
This can be accomplished by the administration of a regional technique. The
term encompasses any surgery in which the anesthesiologist administers a local
anesthetic
via a needle to block the pain fibers to the surgical site. It is an excellent
alternative
to general anesthesia. Common regional techniques include spinal blocks, epidural
blocks, caudal blocks, shoulder blocks, ankle blocks and eye blocks.
REGIONAL + SEDATION- This anesthetic is well suited for those less adventurous
types who do not want a general, but prefer not to be awake during surgery.
IV sedation can be given prior to the nerve block and throughout surgery to
provide a light plane of sleep.
B. REGIONAL VERSUS GENERAL
ANESTHESIA
In most cases, regional and general anesthetics are equally safe. The choice
of one versus the other is strictly patient preference. However, some exceptions
do apply and your anesthesiologist will be able to address these with you on
a case by case basis. The risks of regional anesthesia are rare but may include:
bleeding, infection, and damage to a nerve. Regional anesthesia offers several
advantages over general anesthesia which include but are not limited to a decreased
incidence of nausea and vomiting, blood clots, wheezing, prolonged awakening,
and postoperative pain.
C. CONTRAINDICATIONS
TO REGIONAL ANESTHESIA
Patients should not have a regional technique if they refuse it , have a bleeding
disorder, low platelet count, infection in their blood or at the site of the
block, or are taking blood thinners up until the day of surgery.