Anesthesia is the desensitization of the body that is necessary prior to surgery.
In contrast to general anesthesia involving the entire body, loco-regional anesthesia only affects the area of the operation, putting it to sleep. How does this happen? We talk about this topic with Dr. Orazio Difrancesco, an anesthetist in Humanitas.
What drugs are used for loco-regional anesthesia?
The drugs used for loco-regional anesthesia are local anesthetics. They are different, but thanks to research over the last few decades they are safe and have a higher tolerance and efficacy profile and a lower risk of toxicity. They act by suppressing the transmission of painful stimuli from the periphery to the brain. The sensory nerve, which is responsible for transmitting the stimuli, is inhibited and therefore the brain does not receive the painful impulse originating in the periphery.
Is the anesthesia injection painful?
Absolutely not. Injection of loco-regional anesthesia is not performed directly, but after the administration of a small dose of local anesthetic at the site of the puncture, in order to relieve the discomfort that the patient feels with the injection. It should also be noted that the execution of loco-regional anesthesia does not prohibit the provision of mild sedatives to the patient that help to counter anxiety.
