Local and regional anaesthetic techniques in wound management

Pain affects respiratory and cardiovascular function with knock-on effects on many other organs and systems. Adequate pain control is therefore vital in perioperative care. Local anaesthetics cause a local loss of pain and movement and can be used for local infiltration or for various types of block allowing surgery or relieving pain in trauma for example. There are two pharmacological types, esters and amides that have different uses. Commonly used blocks are brachial plexus block and Bier’s block for upper limb surgery, femoral nerve block, spinal block and epidurals. These can be used alone or in combination with a general anaesthetic.