Chapter 10: Pain assessment and management
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Regional analgesia: local anaesthetic nerve blocks and infusions
Definition
The term ‘regional analgesia’ includes peripheral nerve blocks (arm, leg or head) and spinal blocks. The term ‘spinal analgesia’ refers to both the epidural and intrathecal routes (discussed in the next section).
Regional analgesia can be used for acute post‐operative pain, trauma pain and chronic pain. It can take the form of either a single injection (‘single shot’) or a continuous infusion such as a continuous peripheral nerve block (CPNB). A CPNB can also be delivered as an ambulatory service where patients are discharged home with the infusion.
