Other types of anaesthesia

Question 1

Peripheral nerve blocks: general considerations

Answer 1

• patient awake
• area distal to nerve block injection is anaesthetised
• performed under ultrasound guidance + nerve stimulator
  Example: pudendal nerve block for obstetric procedures

Question 2

Central neuraxial anaesthesia aka spinal block: what is it commonly used for

Answer 2

Caesarean sections
Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)
Hip fracture repairs

Question 3

Central neuraxial anaesthesia aka spinal block: general considerations

Answer 3

• patient awake
• causes numbness of spinal nerves below the levels of injection
• Cold spray applied to check if worked

Question 4

Spinal block: where is it injected

Answer 4

• local anaesthetic injected into CSF (subarachnoid space) in L3/4 or L4/5 to avoid spinal cord injury

Question 5

Spinal block: how long does it take to wear off

Answer 5

1-3 hours

Question 6

Epidural anaesthesia: most common uses

Answer 6

• Labour
• Post-op laparotomy