Regional anesthesia

Regional anesthesia temporarily blocks nerve transmission to produce loss of sensation in a large region of the body, often while the patient remains conscious.

Local anesthetic: A drug that reversibly blocks voltage-gated sodium channels in nerves, preventing electrical impulses from propagating. These drugs interrupt nerve signals to create regional sensory loss.
Brachial plexus block: A group of regional techniques that anesthetize nerves supplying the shoulder and upper limb. It is a common approach for operations on the arm and hand.
General anesthesia: A drug-induced state of unconsciousness and diminished responses to stimulation, maintained for medical procedures. Unlike regional anesthesia, it suppresses consciousness rather than targeting sensation in one region.
Local anesthetic systemic toxicity: A potentially life-threatening reaction to excessive systemic exposure to local anesthetic drugs. Inadvertent vascular injection or absorption can cause neurologic and cardiovascular toxicity.
Peripheral nerve block: An injection of local anesthetic near a peripheral nerve or nerve plexus to numb its distribution. It blocks a named nerve or plexus outside the central nervous system.
Femoral nerve block: A local anesthetic block of the femoral nerve, reducing sensation and movement in parts of the thigh and leg. It can provide analgesia for selected knee and thigh procedures.
Local anesthesia: Reversible loss of sensation in a limited area, usually produced by applying or injecting anesthetic near the site. It affects a smaller area than a regional block.
Post-dural-puncture headache: A headache caused by cerebrospinal-fluid leakage after puncture of the dura mater. It can follow neuraxial procedures that breach the dura.
Neuraxial anesthesia: Anesthesia produced by injecting medication into the epidural or subarachnoid spaces around the spinal cord. It blocks nerve roots near the spinal cord rather than a peripheral nerve.
Obstetric anesthesia: Anesthesia and pain relief used during pregnancy, labor, and delivery. Epidural and spinal techniques provide regional pain relief during childbirth.

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