Local anesthesia

Local anesthesia is the elimination of pain in a specific region of the body. An operation or minor surgical procedure can then be performed without general anesthesia. One uses drugs called local anesthetics.

They temporarily switch off the corresponding nerve tracts so that the patient no longer feels anything in that area. There are different forms of local anesthesia, each of which paralyzes slightly different nerves.The advantages of local anesthesia are unimpaired lung and brain function, the patient’s own metabolism and the associated acid-base balance. Only in a few cases, such as an existing allergy to local anesthetics or a drug treatment with blood thinners such as Marcumar, is the use of a local anesthetic contraindicated.

Surface and infiltration anesthesia is used to anesthetize small nerves, eliminating only localized pain and its transmission.
In conduction anesthesia, an entire region of the body supplied by a nerve is anesthetized. As spinal anaesthesia, this form of anaesthesia is often used in outpatient operations or for example in a caesarean section.

Many patients do not want to feel fear or pain during dental treatment. Many dental surgeries offer treatment in twilight sleep.

In contrast to general anesthesia, the administration of an inhaled anesthetic is not necessary. The patient is given a sleeping pill and an additional painkiller. The drugs can be dosed very well, which means that the duration of the effect can be controlled very well, even for minor procedures.

In addition, the drugs only cause side effects such as nausea and vomiting in a few cases. Many dental surgeries also offer treatment under general anesthesia. It can be carried out either with gas or with medication through the vein.

With both methods the patient is informed about the possibilities in a preliminary talk. In addition, an anesthesiologist is present to inform the patient about the course of the anesthesia and the associated risks. Since the procedures are often short, patients can go home after a certain monitoring period if no complications arise.

In addition, the attending dentist will inform the patient about any costs that may arise from treatment under anesthesia. In some cases, the costs can also be covered by the patient’s health insurance company. Anaesthesia in children requires good preparation, which takes away both the parents’ worries about their child and the children’s fears of doctors.

The parents are informed about the necessity, the procedure and the preparations such as keeping the child fast before the procedure. For older children, the anesthetic is usually given through the vein. This requires a venous catheter, which must be placed beforehand.

Since children are often afraid of the needle, they can be given a medication in the form of a tablet that calms them down and makes them fall asleep. In addition, surface-anaesthetic patches such as the EMLA patch can be used to numb the skin so that placing the access does not hurt. Infants, on the other hand, are anesthetized through a mask that is held tightly in front of their mouth and nose.

It is particularly important for the child and parents to be able to stay together as long as possible. In this way, children are less afraid. It is also helpful if children are involved in what is happening.

For example, they can hold the mask themselves with support and understand what is happening playfully and without fear. During the operation, the child is well monitored on a monitor. Afterwards, the child spends some time in the recovery room until he or she can return to the ward.