Regional anaesthesia

Many people experience an anaesthetic at some point in their lives and it is normal to have some questions or feel nervous. Anaesthesia is very safe. It allows a patient to be comfortable during their surgery or procedure. Anaesthetists are specialist doctors who are highly trained to deliver anaesthesia and help look after you before, during, and after your surgery.

This information is meant as a general guide only. It does not replace individual medical advice given by your healthcare providers. You should always ask your healthcare team If there is anything you’re unsure about.

What is regional anaesthesia?

A regional anaesthetic works by temporarily blocking the nerves in a specific part of your body, so you don’t feel pain during surgery.

The anaesthetist injects medicine near the nerves that send pain signals from the area being operated on to your brain. This ‘numbs’ the area, so you stay awake but pain-free during your surgery. For example:

• If you’re having surgery on your leg, the regional anaesthetic might block the nerves in your lower back.
• If it’s for your arm, the regional anaesthetic will block the nerves near your shoulder.

The regional anaesthetic will manage your pain but you may still feel some other sensations like pressure or tugging.

The numbing effect wears off after a few hours and sensation will gradually return to the affected area. For some procedures, regional anaesthesia is a safe way to avoid pain without needing to be fully unconscious like a general anaesthetic.

Before your surgery or procedure

If you’re having a regional anaesthetic for your surgery or procedure, here’s what you can expect before the regional anaesthetic is put in:

• Getting ready: You’ll lie or sit in a comfortable position, depending on the area being numbed (like your arm, leg, or lower body).
• Cleaning the area: The anaesthetist will clean the skin where the injection will go in to keep it sterile.
• Numbing the skin: You will get a small injection to numb the skin first. It may sting briefly.

During your surgery or procedure

• The anaesthetist will use a fine needle to place the regional anaesthetic near your nerves. You might still feel other sensations like pressure or tingling but not pain.
• Sometimes, the anaesthetist uses an ultrasound or a small machine to find the exact nerves to block. This helps make it more precise.
• It takes about 10–30 minutes for the regional anaesthetic to work. You’ll feel the area becoming numb and heavy.

Sedation

When you have a regional anaesthetic for surgery, the area being operated on will be numbed, but you’ll still be awake. Some people feel nervous about being awake during surgery, so your medical team may offer you sedation to help you feel calm and relaxed.

Here’s how sedation works:

• What sedation does: It doesn’t make you unconscious like a general anaesthetic does, but it will make you drowsy, relaxed, and less aware of what’s happening around you. You might not remember much about your surgery afterwards.
• How it’s given: Sedation medicine is usually given through a small needle in your hand or arm (an IV line).
• What you’ll feel: You’ll stay very comfortable and might drift in and out of sleep. You won’t feel anxious or notice much about the procedure.

Your breathing, heart rate, and other vital signs will be closely monitored the whole time to keep you safe. If you want to, you can let your doctor know how much sedation you’d prefer, from being fully relaxed but awake to being almost asleep.

General Anaesthesia

You might have a general anaesthetic for your procedure. A general anaesthetic puts you into a safely watched state of unconsciousness for the entire procedure. Each hospital might do things a little differently, but this is an outline of what will happen:

• IV (Intravenous) line: A small tube will be placed into a vein in your arm. This is where the anaesthetist will give fluids and medications.
• Oxygen: You will breathe oxygen through a mask before the anaesthetic begins.
• Anaesthesia medication: The anaesthetist will give you medication through the IV to make you fall safely unconscious, it will feel like you’re falling asleep.
• Breathing tube: After this, a tube will be placed in your windpipe to help you breathe during surgery.

Your anaesthetist will stay with you during your whole surgery to make sure you are safe and comfortable. You will not feel any pain because of the general anaesthetic.

After your surgery or procedure

• You may still feel numb or weak for a few hours after your surgery or procedure.
• Sensation will gradually return, often with tingling. You might start to feel some discomfort from your surgery as the numbness wears off—ask your healthcare team for pain relief if needed.

The Day of your planned surgery resource on this website offers some information to help you prepare for your surgery.