People with certain health problems choose local or regional anesthesia when that is an option, because it may pose fewer risks than general anesthesia in some situations. Long or difficult surgeries may require general anesthesia. A person choosing local or regional anesthesia needs to be able to lie still and remain calm during the surgery. Medicine may be given to help with relaxation. Author: Healthwise Staff.
Freedman MD - Anesthesiology. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Any concerns you have should be discussed with your anaesthetist before surgery. Also see the Royal College of Anaesthetists' patient information. Page last reviewed: 23 September Next review due: 23 September Local anaesthetics and general anaesthetics are 2 commonly used types of anaesthetics: local anaesthesia is where a small area of the body is numbed and you remain fully conscious — often used during minor procedures general anaesthesia is where you're totally unconscious and unaware of the procedure — often used for more serious operations Types of anaesthesia As well as local and general anaesthetic, there are a number of other types of anaesthesia.
The different types of anaesthetic are: regional anaesthetic — a local anaesthetic given to a specific region of your body, leading to numbness or pain relief for deeper operations where more extensive numbness is needed epidural anaesthetic — a type of regional anaesthetic usually used to numb the lower half of the body; for example, as pain relief during labour and childbirth spinal anaesthetic — a type of regional anaesthetic used to give total numbness, lasting about 3 hours, to the lower parts of the body, such as in the base of your spine or in your lower back, so surgery can be safely carried out in this area sedation — medicine that makes you feel sleepy and relaxes you both physically and mentally; it's sometimes used to keep you calm during minor, painful or unpleasant procedures Different types of anaesthesia can be used in combination.
How anaesthetics are given An anaesthetic can be given in a number of ways: as an ointment, spray or drops as an injection into a vein as a gas you breathe in Anaesthetists Anaesthetists are doctors who have received specialist training in anaesthesia.
Before the procedure, your anaesthetist will discuss a number of things with you, including: the types of anaesthetic appropriate for the procedure you're having any risks or side effects associated with different types of anaesthetic They'll plan your anaesthetic and pain control with you, taking into account any preferences you have for a particular type of anaesthetic.
Side effects Anaesthetics consist of a number of medicines that can cause side effects in some people. Some common side effects that can occur after a general anaesthetic or some regional anaesthetics include: feeling or being sick dizziness and feeling faint feeling cold or shivering headaches itchiness bruising and soreness difficulty peeing aches and pains The side effects of anaesthetic usually do not last very long and, if necessary, some of them can be treated.
Risks and complications In recent years, having anaesthesia has become very safe. The complications of anaesthesia listed below are very rare. Permanent nerve damage This can cause numbness or paralysis inability to move a part of the body , although this may be a result of the surgery itself. An allergic reaction to an anaesthetic medicine Although an allergic reaction anaphylaxis can be severe, appropriate treatment is on hand to enable the best chance of dealing with this immediately and effectively.
Apart from local anaesthesia, the different types of anaesthesia are usually provided by specialist doctors called anaesthetists, usually supported by a specialist team of nurses and technicians. Anaesthesia means 'loss of sensation'. It can involve a local injection of a medicine to numb a small part of the body, such as a finger or around a tooth. It can also involve using a medicine that causes unconsciousness general anaesthesia. The different types of anaesthesia are:. A medication used for anaesthesia is called an anaesthetic.
Anaesthetics work by blocking the signals that pass along your nerves to your brain. When the anaesthetic wears off, you start to feel normal sensation again. General anaesthesia always needs a specialist doctor, called an anaesthetist, to be present. However other forms of anaesthesia, such as nerve blocks and sedation, can be given by other specialist doctors in hospital, such as the initial treatment of some joint dislocations or bone fractures in the Emergency Department.
General Practitioners often provide local anaesthesia for minor operations such as removing a cyst or a toenail operation. See also the separate leaflet called Anaesthetics for Young People. A local anaesthetic numbs a small part of the body. It is used when the nerves can be easily reached by drops, sprays, ointments or injections. You stay conscious but free from pain.
Common examples of surgery under local anaesthetic are having teeth removed, operations for an ingrowing toenail, and some common operations on the eye.
This involves local anaesthetic being injected near to the nerves which supply a larger or deeper area of the body. The area of the body affected becomes numb. Anaesthetists often use an ultrasound machine or nerve stimulator to identify the exact position of the nerves. Spinal or epidural anaesthesia can be used for operations on the lower body, such as caesarean section, bladder operations, or hip replacement. Sedation involves using small amounts of anaesthetic medicines to produce a 'sleep-like' state.
It makes you physically and mentally relaxed, but not unconscious. If you have sedation, you may remember little or nothing about the operation or procedure. However, sedation does not guarantee that you will have no memory of the operation.
This can only be achieved by a general anaesthetic. General anaesthesia is a state of controlled unconsciousness during which you feel nothing. You will have no memory of what happens while you are anaesthetised. General Anesthesia General anesthesia is used for major operations, such as a knee replacement or open-heart surgery, and causes you to lose consciousness.
Regional Anesthesia Regional anesthesia is often used during childbirth and surgeries of the arm, leg, or abdomen. Local Anesthesia Local anesthesia is for procedures such as getting stitches or having a mole removed.
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