Regional anaesthetic techniques for the general practitioner (surgeon).

INTRODUCTION The use of Regional Anaesthesia and Nerve Blocks is becoming more popular and recognized as an effective means for providing anaesthesia for minor surgery. When used optimally, Regional Anaesthesia and local blocks can provide ideal operative conditions. Successful outcome of the technique depends on injection of the local anaesthetic solution as near the target nerve as possible. It is therefore essential to know the detailed surface anatomy of the area. It is also important to know the pharmacological actions of the various drugs used. If the general principles and guidelines of Regional Anaesthesia are strictly adhered to, then regional anaesthetic techniques can provide a safe, cheap and effective means of anaesthesia for minor surgery. A few techniques of Regional Anaesthesia are described, which can safely be used by the general physician in an out-patient and day care surgery unit. The skill required to use these local analgesic techniques is not very difficult to learn, but it does need practice.