What is Local Anesthesia??

What is Local Anesthesia??

Introduction

Local anesthesia is a type of medication used to temporarily block sensation in a specific area of the body, without affecting consciousness. It's commonly used in minor surgical, dental, ordiagnostic procedures.

⚙️How It Works

Local anesthetics block nerve signals in the body. They inhibit the function of sodium channels on nerve cells, which prevents the nerve from transmitting pain signals to the brain.

💉 Types of Local Anesthesia

1.   Topical Anesthetics

o   Applied directlyto the skin or mucous membranes (e.g., lidocaine gel, benzocaine spray).

o   Used for minorskin procedures, eye exams, or sore throat relief.

2.    Infiltration Anesthesia

o   Injected directlyinto tissue at the site of the procedure.

o   Common in dentalprocedures and minor skin surgeries.

3.  Nerve Blocks

o   Injected near aspecific nerve or group of nerves to block pain in a larger area (e.g., forhand, arm, or leg surgery).

4. Spinal and Epidural Anesthesia (sometimes considered regional, notpurely local)

o   Used to blocksensation in the lower part of the body.

o   Common inchildbirth or lower limb surgeries.

🧪 Uses of Local Anesthesia

·        Dental work (e.g., tooth extraction, cavity filling)

·        Minor skin procedures (e.g., mole removal, stitches)

·        Eye surgeries (e.g., cataract removal)

·        Biopsies

·        Childbirth (epidural)

·        Joint injections

⚠️ Possible Side Effects

Mostare mild, but can include:

·        Temporary numbness or tingling

·        Swelling or bruising at the injection site

·        Dizziness or light-headedness

·        Allergic reactions (rare)

🛑 Contraindications

·        Allergies to local anesthetics (e.g., to “-caine” drugs)

·        Certain heart conditions

·        Liver dysfunction (some anesthetics are metabolized in the liver)

how local anesthesia works during Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE)

🧠 Overview: Local Anesthesia in Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE) At-Bankers Vascular Hospital

Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE)is a minimally invasive endovascular procedure used to manage chronic kneepain, particularly due to osteoarthritis, by embolizingthe genicular arteries to reduce synovialinflammation and angiogenesis.

In this procedure, local anesthesia plays a crucial role in patient comfort and procedural safety.

🩺 Role of Local Anesthesia in GAE

✅Purpose

·        To numb the skin, subcutaneous tissue, and arterial access site (typically the common femoral artery in the groin or the radial artery in the wrist).

·        To allow the procedure to be done without general anesthesia,maintaining patient consciousness and reducing systemic risk.

⚙️ Mechanism of Action

 1.AgentUsed: Typically, a local anesthetic such as 1% lidocaineor 0.5%bupivacaine is injected subcutaneously and peri vascularly at the accesssite.

2.     Theanesthetic diffuses into local tissues and binds to voltage-gatedsodium channels on peripheral nerves.

3.     This blocks the generation and propagation of action potentials, resultingin loss of sensation (primarily nociceptive/pain signals) at the siteof catheter insertion.

4.     Patient may still feel pressure or movement, but not sharp pain.

💉 Procedure Context

1.   AccessSite: After local infiltration, the interventional radiologist insertsa vasculars heath into the femoral or radial artery.

2.   Using fluoroscopicguidance, microcatheters are advanced into the geniculararteries of the knee.

3.   Microspheresor particlesare injected to embolize hyper vascular synovial tissue, reducing inflammatory mediators and neovascularization associated with chronic osteoarthritis pain.

🧪 Advantages of Local Anesthesia inGAE

·   Reduced risk of systemic complications (e.g., cardiopulmonary depression)

·   Faster recovery and mobilization

·   Avoidance of airway manipulation

·   Lower cost and shorter post-procedure monitoring