What Is Regional Nerve Block and How Is It Applied?

Regional nerve block is a type of anesthesia that occurs by injecting a high concentration of anesthetic drug next to the nerve body that innervates the area to be surgically treated.

Regional nerve block is usually preferred in operations performed on the 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 cover. Generally, patients are given a sedative through the intravenous route to create a mild drowsiness called ‘sedation’.

The state of numbness and inactivity is not permanent. After the duration of action of the drugs has passed, all functions return to normal. It provides a painless process for up to 24 hours after surgery for pain relief purposes. For this reason, the satisfaction and comfort of the patients in the service are increased.

Regional nerve blocks and regional anesthesia are also applied effectively and safely in pediatric patients.
Regional nerve blocks are divided into two as peripheral and central blocks.

Peripheral block: It is applied by administering a local anesthetic drug next to the large nerves in the periphery. It is the most preferred anesthesia method in daily treatment. Maxillary, mandibular nerve block, etc. applications applied in dental surgery are interscalene and axillary block applications applied for upper extremity and shoulder surgery. Complications are rare in peripheral nerve blocks.

Central block: Anesthetic drug application on the roots of the spinal cord or spinal cord is called central block. It is an important clinical advantage to render a certain body region numb and not to affect respiratory functions without losing consciousness of the patient.