Search PubMed⌕ Search
Home/Archive/PubMed

PubMed · 8850885

Local anaesthesia.

P Hood
View original source ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

This article is concerned with the care a patient requires whilst receiving a local anaesthetic. The significance of the administration of a local anaesthetic should never be underestimated by the theatre nurse and he or she must have an understanding of the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics involved to provide effective care. Local anaesthesia is differentiated from regional anaesthesia as local anaesthesia affects a very specific part of the body whereas regional anaesthesia affects a much larger area of the body. This article will focus on local anaesthesia. Local anaesthetic agents cause a temporary loss of sensation due to inhibition of nerve endings in a specific part of the body. Clearly such agents are a very useful method of analgesia which can be used as a 'stand-alone' approach or as an adjunct to other methods of analgesia.

Explore related subjects

Anesthesia, LocalAnesthetics, LocalDrug HypersensitivityHumansOperating Room NursingJournal ArticleReview

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

P Hood. 1996. Local anaesthesia.. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8850885/

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related citations

PubMed2007

A simple method to accurately position Port-A-Cath without the aid of intraoperative fluoroscopy or other localizing devices.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the efficacy and acceptability of the Port-A-Cath (PAC) insertion method with (conventional group as II) and without (modified group as I) the aid of intraoperative fluoroscopy or other localizing devices. METHODS: A total of 158 women with various kinds of gynecological cancers warranting PAC insertion (n = 86 in group I and n = 72 in group II, respectively) were evaluated. Data for analyses included patient age, main disease, dislocation site, surgical time, complications, and catheter outcome. RESULTS: There was no statistical difference between the two groups in terms of age, main disease, complications, and the experiencing of patent catheters. However, appropriate positioning (100% in group I, and 82% in group II) in the superior vena cava (SVC) showed statistical differences between the two groups (P = 0.001). In addition, the surgical time in group I was statistically shorter than that in group II (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The modified method for inserting the PAC offered the following benefits: including avoiding X-ray exposure for both the operator and the patient, defining the appropriate position in the SVC, and less surgical time.

Anesthesia, Local↗
PubMed2007

Sub-Tenon's local anaesthesia for the treatment of retinopathy of prematurity with diode laser.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of sub-Tenon's local anaesthesia (LA) for laser treatment of threshold retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). METHODS: A cohort of 18 eyes of 10 neonates with threshold ROP was treated with diode laser peripheral retinal ablation over 14 treatment sessions using oral sedation and sub-Tenon's anaesthesia. Treatment was performed in a neonatal unit. The heart and respiratory rate, trans-cutaneous oxygen saturation, and physical activity were continuously monitored for signs of neonatal distress. Cardio-respiratory stability during and after the procedure was scored for each eye treated using a Cardio-respiratory index described previously. RESULTS: In all cases, the planned dose of laser was delivered. One out of 18 eyes developed stage 4b tractional retinal detachment over a follow-up of at least 6 months for all babies. Systemic complications during treatment included transient bradycardia and apnoea requiring stimulation in two babies and excessive head mobility in three babies. Treatment duration varied between 20 and 80 min. Ocular complications were conjunctival haemorrhage and chemosis. The mean cardio-respiratory index was 1.13, which compared favourably with the standard published. CONCLUSIONS: Sub-Tenon's LA with oral sedation appears to be a safe and effective alternative to general anaesthesia for laser treatment of ROP, with the potential for lower morbidity.

Anesthesia, Local↗
PubMed2007

A meta-analysis of local anesthesia for transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy of the prostate.

This meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy and safety of periprostatic nerve block (PPNB) and intrarectal local anesthestic (IRLA) gel in alleviating pain during prostate biopsy. Electronic databases MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and EMBASE were searched to identify all randomized controlled trials comparing PPNB with periprostatic placebo injection, no injection or with IRLA. Studies for inclusion were identified and extracted by two authors independently. The main outcome measure was patients' assessment of mean pain scores on a 10-point scale at the end of the biopsy procedure. Secondary outcomes were complications and adverse events. Continuous data from the trials were combined by calculating the weighted mean difference (WMD) with its 95% confidence interval. In total, 25 studies met the inclusion criteria. Twenty studies involving 1685 patients compared PPNB with either no anesthesia or with placebo injection controls, showing a significant reduction in pain score in the anesthetic group (WMD -2.09, 95% CI -2.44 to -1.75, P<0.00001). Five studies with 466 patients compared IRLA and control. Although IRLA was associated with pain reduction, the effect size was not statistically significant (WMD -0.22, 95% CI -0.56 to 0.12). Six studies with 872 patients compared PPNB with IRLA, showing a significant pain reduction in the former group (WMD -1.53, 95% CI -2.67 to -0.39, P=0.008). No trials reported an increase in complications in the treatment arms. In conclusion, the evidence from randomized controlled trials shows that local anesthetic given as a PPNB, but not as an intrarectal instillation, is effective and safe in alleviating pain from transrectal ultrasound biopsy of the prostate.

Anesthesia, Local↗