“What are the other types of anesthesia that is used in surgery?”
I know general anesthesia is pretty standard, but are there any other types that patients should be aware of?
5 Answers
Anesthesia typically utilized in procedures may vary. Depending on the length of the procedure may anesthesiologists are moving towards TIVA (Total IV Anesthesia) which typically has less side effects than inhilation anesthesia. There is regional anesthesia where one blocks sensation in a particular region such as an arm. There is local anesthesia which is used to numb a small area such as to place sutures. Epidural anesthesia is a type of regional anesthesia where anesthetic is place into the Epidural space of the spine and is often used for labor and delivery.
Both local anesthesia and regional anesthesia are options, depending on the location and extent of the surgery.
There are only 2 others, regional anesthesia and local anesthesia, and both can be with or without intravenous sedation. Regional anesthesia would include any nerve block that numbs a region of the body, like a spinal anesthetic or an arm block, such as an axillary block. Local anesthesia is a local anesthetic applied to the skin where the surgery takes place.
Spinal, epidural, regional, and MAC anesthesia.
General, spinal, epidural, regional, and MAC - monitored anesthesia care; I.e., local infiltration with sedation
