Why Local Anesthesia?
Local anesthesia in the right setting can benefit the patient. Airway and respiration are maintained by the patient, making the procedure safer. There is usually a smoother recovery from local anesthesia, less physiologic stress, earlier discharge from the recovery room, reduced costs, reduced bleeding when a concurrent vasoconstrictor is used and, finally, the patient may assist with maneuvers or responses to questions. Why Not ? Apprehension and anxiety can be significant problems and good patient rapport and a thorough explanation of the procedure and expectations is required. Also, placement of regional blocks and administration of adequate anesthesia is a learned technique requiring experience and skill. One must also consider the various toxicities of the agents, their delay to onset, the risk of nerve damage and the reduced effectiveness in the presence of infection. Physiology and Pharmacology Nerve impulses depend on the flow of ion currents through channels in the cell’s memb
