Nerve blocks are an injection of anesthetic around the nerves responsible for feeling in that limb or area of the body. The type of anesthesia used depends on the type of surgery to be performed. For example, general anesthesia normally is used for major surgeries that involve internal organs. Regional anesthesia is generally used for less complicated operations, such as cesarean childbirth and other procedures done on areas of the body that are below the waist. They can also be used for pain control after a major operation.
Local anesthesia is used when suturing cuts or performing dental work.
Sometimes, it is possible to use either general or regional anesthesia for a procedure or operation. Also, the doctor may recommend that a patient be given both types of anesthesia, because when both regional and general anesthesia are used together, less general anesthesia is needed than if general anesthesia is used alone. To decide which type of anesthesia is most appropriate, the risks and benefits of each type used alone or in combination, must be carefully considered. In addition, the patient must be sure to tell the doctor of any past allergic reactions to anesthesia. However, some times, when regional anesthesia is used, the patient is given a sedative, which is a drug that causes the patient to relax or fall asleep.