What is Regional Nerve Block and How Is It Applied?

Regional nerve block is a type of anesthesia that is formed by injecting a high concentration of anesthetic drug next to the nerve trunk innervating the area to be operated on. Regional nerve block is generally preferred in operations performed on arms and legs. Numbness and immobility are provided in the area where the drug is given. In regional anesthesia, the patient is awake, but they do not see the surgical area because it is separated by a drape. Usually, patients are given sedatives intravenously, causing a mild sleepiness called 'sedation'. The state of numbness and inactivity is not permanent. When the effect of the drugs expires, all functions return to normal. It provides a painless process up to 24 hours after the operation applied for pain relief.

For this reason, the satisfaction and comfort of the patients in the service is increased. Regional nerve blocks and regional anesthesia are also used effectively and safely in pediatric patients. Regional nerve blocks are divided into peripheral and central blocks. Peripheral block: It is applied by administering a local anesthetic drug near the large nerves in the periphery. It is the most preferred anesthesia method in day treatment. Maxillary, mandibular nerve block etc. applied in dental surgery. Its applications are interscalene and axillary block applications for upper extremity and shoulder surgery. Complications are rare in peripheral nerve blocks. Central block: The application of anesthetic drugs on the spinal cord or roots coming out of the spinal cord is called central block. It is an important clinical advantage that a certain body region is numbed without loss of consciousness and respiratory functions are not affected.