Local Anaesthetic Blocks

Question 1

What are the benefits of local anaesthetics?

Answer 1

*Only ‘true’ analgesia
*Will smooth out anaesthetic
*Will reduce amount volatile agent required
*Should improve cardio-respiratory stability
*Will reduce opioid consumption post
operatively
*Will provide a pain-free recovery from
anaesthesia

Question 2

What are the risks of local anaesthetics?

Answer 2

*Overdose
*Intra-vascular injection
*Nerve damage
*Diminishing sensation of other areas
*Seeding neoplasia or infection

Question 3

What are the ways to apply local anaesthetics?

Answer 3

*Nerve blocks
*Splash blocks
*Infiltration analgesia
*Intraosseous analgesia
*Intra-septal injection
*Peridontal or interligament injection
*Intrapulpal injection

Question 4

What do you need for local anaesthesia?

Answer 4

*A fine needle (24g)
*Small syringe
*Skin or mucosa prep
*Gloves
*Local anaesthetic

Question 5

What to use for local anaesthesia?

Answer 5

*Lidocaine (short onset, short duration)
*Bupivacaine or ropivacaine (longer onset,
longer duration)

Question 6

Where is the infraorbital block and what does it block (in the dog)?

Answer 6

*Midway between
rostrodorsal border of
zygomatic arch and canine root tip
*Blocks upper lip and nose (nasal planum and roof of nasal cavity), and skin rostroventral to infraorbital foramen. (Not any teeth).
*Max volume 3mls.

Question 7

Where is the Maxillary nerve block and what does it block?

Answer 7

*In the pterygopalatine fossa, between the rostral alar foramen and the maxillary
foramen (entrance to the infraorbital canal).
*Blocks nose (nasal planum and
most of bridge of nose), upper lip, upper teeth, palate, maxilla.
*Max volume 3mls

Question 8

Where is the mental nerve block and what does it block?

Answer 8

*Where the middle mental nerve exits from the middle
mental foramen. The middle mental foramen is biggest in
dogs, and carries the largest of the mental nerves.
* Blocks lower lip / chin
rostral to site of block. (Not any teeth).
* Max volume 2ml

Question 9

Where is the Mandibular nerve block and where does it block?

Answer 9

*Palpate the lip of the
mandibular foramen. Insert needle percutaneously at
the lower angle of the jaw, and advance it against the medial side of the mandible and direct it towards the
foramen.
*Lower teeth, mandible, skin and mucosa of lower lip.
*Max volume 2ml

Question 10

Other than nerve blocks, the following local techniques can also be used in dental
procedures?

Answer 10

*Splash blocks
*Infiltration analgesia
*Intraosseous analgesia
*Intra-septal injection
*Peridontal or interligament injection
*Intrapulpal injection