“Is regional anesthesia safe?”
I am a 33 year old female. I want to know if regional anesthesia is safe?
11 Answers
That's similar to asking is it safe to drive a car. Yes, regional anesthesia is "safe". But just like driving a vehicle, bad things can happen. Even if you are following the laws meticulously, you can still be hit, slide off the road, or lose control of the vehicle in bad weather. Regional anesthesia is generally considered safe, but that doesn't preclude adverse events from occurring.
Regional anesthesia is very safe. The main risks are bleeding, infection, and damage to nearby structures. Bleeding and damage to nearby structures are essentially negligible with the use of ultrasound guidance for nerve blocks. Sterile technique minimizes the risk of infection.
Dr. J. Arthur Saus
Anesthesiologist
The answer, of course, depends on your definition of "safe." Every medical procedure, just about like anything else any of us do during our lives, generally carries some kind of risk. Administration of anesthesia, regardless of the route by which it is administered, is a medical procedure.
Sometimes risks with a medical procedure are relatively minor, while at other times risks are major. Whether the risk is major or minor depends not only on the procedure itself, and the reason for which it is done, but it also depends on the patient's overall medical condition at the time anesthesia is administered. When a regional anesthesia technique is selected, then administered by people with the proper training to perform the procedure correctly, it is relatively very safe. Despite this, opportunities are always present for things to go wrong unexpectedly, with anesthesia administration, just as it is for any other medical or surgical procedure.
With this in mind, it is important to be certain that administration of any kind of anesthesia (whether using a regional anesthesia technique or a technique which involves complete unconsciousness provided by general anesthesia) is managed by someone with extensive training and experience in anesthesia. This is the most compelling reason I can find for the concept that as a patient, you would want to have a physician with extensive training and experience in anesthesia involved in your care, whether you jointly decide on a regional anesthesia technique or a general anesthesia technique. This can be assured by verifying that a Board Certified Anesthesiologist is involved, whether that individual provides the anesthesia personally or supervises others who are actually performing the procedure.
Sometimes risks with a medical procedure are relatively minor, while at other times risks are major. Whether the risk is major or minor depends not only on the procedure itself, and the reason for which it is done, but it also depends on the patient's overall medical condition at the time anesthesia is administered. When a regional anesthesia technique is selected, then administered by people with the proper training to perform the procedure correctly, it is relatively very safe. Despite this, opportunities are always present for things to go wrong unexpectedly, with anesthesia administration, just as it is for any other medical or surgical procedure.
With this in mind, it is important to be certain that administration of any kind of anesthesia (whether using a regional anesthesia technique or a technique which involves complete unconsciousness provided by general anesthesia) is managed by someone with extensive training and experience in anesthesia. This is the most compelling reason I can find for the concept that as a patient, you would want to have a physician with extensive training and experience in anesthesia involved in your care, whether you jointly decide on a regional anesthesia technique or a general anesthesia technique. This can be assured by verifying that a Board Certified Anesthesiologist is involved, whether that individual provides the anesthesia personally or supervises others who are actually performing the procedure.
Yes, it is safe. In fact, if you have a lot of illnesses, it may be the safest anesthetic available.
Yes, it is. Rest assured.
In general, regional anesthesia is very safe. If you are referring to obstetrical regional anesthesia, usually either an epidural or a spinal block is implemented. Aside from theoretical risks, if bleeding or infection, they are safe.
Absolutely. There are risks with any surgical or anesthetic intervention, though.
Regional anesthesia is fairly safe. Any procedure can have issues and complications.
Yes. Regional anesthesia is safe. Before epidural or spinal anesthesia, platelets and coagulation function are checked because they can't be done if platelets are low or coagulation is abnormal. Peripheral nerve blocks are done with ultrasound and are very safe. If regional anesthesia is planned, your anesthesiologist will explain how it is done and the risks and benefits and answer any questions you may have.
Yes
Yes. Very safe
