ANESTHESIOLOGY FAST REVIEW

ANESTHESIOLOGY_FAST_REVIEWKAPAK1-0-25

REGIONAL ANESTHESIA MAIN PRINCIPLES

Milas Mafizer

Zonguldak Karadeniz Ereğli State Hospital, Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Zonguldak, Türkiye

Mafizer M. Regional Anesthesia Main Principles. In: Kazancı D, editor. Anesthesiology Fast Review. 1st ed. Ankara: Türkiye Klinikleri; 2025. p.211-223.

ABSTRACT

  • One of the most important parts of anesthesia management is regional anesthesia.
  • Basic anesthesia monitoring and resuscitation equipment must be available during regional anesthesia.
  • It offers additional options when general anesthesia is risky. It is also used for postoperative analgesia.
  • Neuraxial blocks affect the spinal nerve roots and provide anesthesia, especially in abdominal and lower extremity surgeries. However, the duration of anesthesia is limited.
  • The duration of anesthesia can be prolonged with epidural or spinal catheter placement.
  • It provides a more controlled anesthesia and analgesia with continuous infusion or intermittent boluses.
  • It is contraindicated in cases of patient refusal, drug allergy, local infection and increased intracranial pressure.
  • ASRA guidelines have been published in terms of coagulopathy and bleeding risk.
  • Since it is an invasive intervention, the profit and loss ratio must be considered.
  • Although the effect on the respiratory system is minimal, care must be taken in terms of cardiac effects.
  • Peripheral nerve blocks have become common with the use of ultrasound, which has become popular in recent years. It can be used for anesthesia or postoperative analgesia.
  • It affects with local anesthetic solutions given to target nerve groups or fascia. Cardiac effects are considerably less than neuraxial anesthesia. However, it should be kept in mind that it is an invasive procedure and experience should be gained.
  • Anesthesia is provided in different areas of effect depending on the area of influence of the peripheral nerves and the injection site.
  • With a good understanding of neuroanatomy and studies on this subject, regional anesthesia methods will make important contributions to anesthesia practice.

Keywords: Anesthesia; Spinal anesthesia; Epidural anesthesia; Caudal anesthesia; Nerve block

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