Anesthesia

Abstract

There are five basic methods for the administration of anesthesia: local; monitored anesthesia care; peripheral nerve blockade; and neuraxial anesthesia, including spinal or epidural anesthesia; and general anesthesia. Peripheral nerve blockade and neuraxial anesthesia are frequently considered together under the title of regional anesthesia. Local anesthesia involves the infiltration of a surgical site with a local anesthetic agent to render the site insensitive to pain. © 2008 Springer New York.