What is regional anaesthesia?
In this form of anesthesia, so-called “local” anesthetic medications are injected to numb the nerves that supply sensation to the operated-on body part. Lidocaine, and the old “Novocain” (procaine) are examples of local anesthetics. The nerves are “blocked”, meaning that they cannot transmit their signals during the time the anesthetic is active. Regional anesthesia relies on the anesthetic drug being placed in exactly the right part of the body, close to the nerve, or bundle of nerves, or the spinal cord. If good positioning is not achieved, the regional anesthesia will not work well or may not work at all. General anesthesia may then be necessary. To assist in the accurate placement of the regional anesthesia needle a machine called a nerve stimulator may be used. The electricity it sends into the needle makes muscles twitch. Ultrasound machines can also be used to help find the nerves and increase the chances of a successful block. The needle is normally inserted with the patient aw
