Anesthesia allows patients to undergo surgery, tests or treatments without pain. Medications are given that cause a person to become unconscious. These medications may be gases that are breathed, medicines that are swallowed or injected, or a combination.
Regional anesthesia is used to numb part of the body.
In adults, regional anesthesia is usually performed when the patient is awake. Part of the body is numb, so that the woman can be awake during labor, but have less pain while pushing the baby out. However, with children regional anesthesia is typically used in addition to general anesthesia, so that the numbing effect can last after the procedure is over. All rights reserved.