Regional Anesthesia Techniques

Regional anesthesia involves blocking sensation in specific parts of the body while the patient remains awake or sedated. It is classified into several main categories based on the anatomical target and technique.

• Injection Site: Into the subarachnoid space (cerebrospinal fluid)
• Use: Cesarean sections, pelvic and lower limb surgeries
• Onset: Rapid
• Duration: Single dose, limited duration

• Injection Site: Epidural space, outside the dura mater
• Use: Labor analgesia, abdominal or thoracic surgeries
• Onset: Slower than spinal
• Duration: Can be continuous with a catheter

• Injection Site: Via the sacral hiatus into the epidural space
• Use: Pediatric surgeries, anorectal procedures

• Interscalene Block: For shoulder and upper arm
• Supraclavicular Block: For arm and forearm
• Infraclavicular/Axillary Blocks: For elbow, forearm, hand

• Femoral Nerve Block: Anterior thigh and knee
• Sciatic Nerve Block: Posterior thigh, lower leg, and foot
• Adductor Canal Block: Knee surgery, spares quadriceps function

• Use: Analgesia for abdominal wall incisions
• Technique: Local anesthetic between internal oblique and transversus abdominis

• Use: Midline abdominal surgeries

• Use: Breast and chest wall surgeries

• Use: Thoracic, abdominal, and spinal surgeries
• Injection Site: Deep to erector spinae muscle

• Ultrasound Guidance: Enhances safety and accuracy by visualizing nerves and anatomical structures
• Nerve Stimulation: Sometimes used alongside ultrasound to confirm correct nerve localization