How Is Local Anesthesia Administered?
How is local anesthesia administered? What is local anesthesia? What are the types and risks of local anesthesia? We have comprehensively answered these questions, which are a matter of curiosity for many patients before surgery, in our content. Anesthesia, commonly known as ‘narcosis’ among the public; means loss of sensation, numbness, or temporary removal of sensations. Performing surgical operations safely and with high comfort for both doctor and patient depends on choosing the appropriate anesthesia method. Local anesthesia, which we encounter at this point, is based on ensuring that the patient feels pain and suffering not through complete loss of consciousness, but through regional anesthesia. This condition, which eliminates the patient’s sensitivity and creates a state of intense numbness, prevents the reflexes that may occur during the surgery and makes it possible to perform the operation in a healthy way.
Local anesthesia is a common and important aspect of many medical and dental procedures. It is used to numb a specific part of the body, allowing for a variety of procedures to be performed without causing pain or discomfort to the patient. There are several different methods for administering local anesthesia, each with its own advantages and considerations.
One of the most common methods for administering local anesthesia is through the use of a syringe and needle. This method involves injecting the anesthesia directly into the tissue near the site of the procedure. The needle used for this purpose is typically very small and thin, minimizing discomfort for the patient. Once the anesthesia has been injected, it takes effect relatively quickly, allowing the procedure to begin without delay. Another method for administering local anesthesia is through the use of a topical cream or gel. These products are applied directly to the skin or mucous membranes and work by numbing the area where they are applied. While this method can be effective for certain procedures, it may not be suitable for more invasive or complex surgeries.
In some cases, local anesthesia can also be administered through the use of a specialized spray. This method involves spraying the anesthesia directly onto the desired area, allowing it to take effect quickly and without the need for needles or injections. This can be particularly useful for procedures involving the mouth or throat, where traditional injection methods may be more difficult or uncomfortable for the patient.
For certain dental procedures, local anesthesia can also be administered through the use of a specialized device known as a dental wand. This device uses computer-controlled technology to deliver a precise amount of anesthesia in a controlled and comfortable manner. This can help to minimize discomfort for the patient and ensure that the anesthesia takes effect quickly and effectively. In addition to these methods, there are also specialized techniques for administering local anesthesia in specific areas of the body. For example, nerve blocks involve injecting anesthesia near a specific nerve or group of nerves to numb a larger area of the body. This can be particularly useful for procedures involving the limbs or extremities.
Regardless of the method used, it is important for the healthcare provider to carefully evaluate each patient’s individual needs and medical history before administering local anesthesia. This can help to ensure that the chosen method is appropriate and safe for the patient, minimizing the risk of complications or adverse reactions.
Overall, local anesthesia plays a crucial role in modern medicine and dentistry, allowing for a wide range of procedures to be performed safely and comfortably. By understanding the various methods for administering local anesthesia and carefully considering each patient’s needs, healthcare providers can ensure that procedures are carried out effectively and with minimal discomfort for the patient.
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What is Local Anesthesia?
The type of anesthesia in which only a certain area of the body is anesthetized is called ‘local anesthesia’. During this process; Anesthetic substances are injected subcutaneously or above the skin into the area where surgery will be performed. Thus, the nerve sensations in that area are neutralized. Although the patient is conscious, he/she does not feel pain or pain in the operated area. General anesthesia affects the nerve cells in the brain and thus ensures general numbness of the whole body. However, regional anesthesia only eliminates the feeling of pain by numbing the nerve endings in a certain place. The anesthetic drugs used at this stage are applied either to the spinal cord area to numb the lower part of the body or to the area around the nerve in the area where the surgical procedure will be performed. The most popular types of local anesthesia are epidural and spinal anesthesia.
In Which Situations Is Local Anesthesia Applied?
Here are some examples of operations commonly administered with local anesthetics:
● Fitting knee or hip prostheses.
● Normal or cesarean birth,
● Skin operations,
● Varicocele surgery,
● Anal area and bladder surgeries,
● Dental interventions such as tooth extraction and root canal treatment.
To whom local anesthesia is not applied?
If the patient is using blood thinners, he or she may not be suitable for local anesthesia. On the other hand, this procedure is not preferred in those with bleeding-coagulation disorders. In addition, it may be unsafe to use local anesthesia in children and people with infections in the waist area.
How is Local Anesthesia Administered?
How is local anesthesia administered? While it is possible to inject anesthetic drugs under the skin, it is also possible to apply them by rubbing or spraying on the skin. These drugs, which act instantly and stop neural transmission, desensitize the patient and prevent the perception of any pain or suffering. However, the patient is conscious and aware of what is happening around her/him.
What are the Types of Local Anesthesia?
After answering the question above; “How is local anesthesia performed?” we find it useful to explain how many groups this type of anesthesia is divided into:
Nerve Block:
This anesthesia applied to the nerves or nerve plexus areas (complex nerve networks) interrupts the transmission of sensory nerves. A small dose of anesthetic is sufficient to block the nerves in a large area. The application is not done through vascular access. Otherwise, systemic reactions that may occur may be very serious.
Local Infiltration:
In this method, anesthetic material is injected under the skin. This substance, which temporarily blocks the peripheral nerves, shows its effect in a very short time from the moment it is applied to the area where there is an incision, a cut, or a wound, or to the place where the surgical intervention will be performed. This anesthesia technique is used in cases where minor surgical interventions such as mole removal or abscess opening are required.
Topical Anesthesia:
It is performed by injecting the anesthetic material into the ‘dura mater’ region and the space between the connective tissues outside this region. This method is used for surgical interventions involving the lower body, cesarean section, and normal birth. According to the region where it will be applied; They vary as caudal, thoracic, cervical, and epidural blocks. Compared to spinal anesthesia, it is easier to administer and the risk of complications and side effects is lower.
Spinal Anesthesia:
This method is used for cesarean section in people who do not prefer normal birth or who are deemed medically unsafe to give birth naturally. This anesthesia technique is also preferred for surgical interventions to be performed on the lower part of the body. The drug to be used in spinal anesthesia is administered from the waist area, that is, it is injected into the space between the ‘arachnoid mater’ and ‘dura mater’, where the cerebrospinal fluid is located.
What are the Side Effects of Local Anesthesia?
What are the types of local anesthesia? What are the side effects of local anesthesia? Like all medical procedures, local anesthesia may have side effects. But it should not be forgotten that; The nature and degree of side effects vary depending on factors such as the way anesthesia is administered, the age and general health of the patient, the risks of surgical intervention, and the type, structure, and dose of the anesthetic drug used.
Anesthesiologists carefully implement the necessary precautions to keep the possibility of side effects to a minimum and to prevent possible complications. So what; Advanced age, neurological disorders, obesity, hypertension, lung diseases such as asthma, and COPD, and cardiovascular diseases may trigger systemic and toxic side effects of anesthesia.
What are the different types of local anesthesia? Accordingly, we can list some of the complaints that may arise after local anesthesia as follows:
1. Headache
2. Vascular Injuries
3. Loss of Strength
4. Fatigue
5. Short-term difficulty in urinating,
6. Blood pressure drop or rise,
7. Temporary loss of consciousness
8. Infection or bleeding at the site where the anesthetic agent was applied,
9. Heart rhythm disturbance.
In addition to these, although rarely; Serious side effects such as permanent loss of strength or sensation, stroke, and heart attack may also occur.