Local Anaesthesia

Question 1

Explain local infiltration procedure

Answer 1

Clip area to be treated
Aseptic prep
Use small gauge needle (23G - 25G) to prevent tissue damage
Inject small amount (0.5-1ml usually)
Onset of action usually within 3-5mins
Test effectiveness of block - prick skin

Question 2

What does the addition of epinephrine cause?

Answer 2

Decreases the rate of drug absorption/ increases duration of action
Reduces the concentration of drug entering the circulation which leads to reduced toxicity

Question 3

Why do drug doses need to be lowers in patient with hepatic diseas?

Answer 3

As the liver is metabolising the drugs (there’s doesn’t work as well)

Question 4

What are the types of local anaesthetics?

Answer 4

Local infiltration
Regional Analgesia
Spinal
Topical

Question 5

What are the risks involved in local anaesthesia?

Answer 5

May cause nerve damage or permanent loss of function when injected into nerve fibres
Some local anaesthetics can cause tissue irritation - mepivacaine is least irritant
Animals may chew the area following recovery
Occasional allergic reactions
Hypotension may occur especially after epidural anaesthesia