Local anaesthetics: Characteris tics, uses and toxicities

Abstract

Surgeons currently perform more and larger procedures in an ambulatory setting. Local anaesthesia is an important aspect of office-based surgery. Local anaesthetics (LAs) vary in their pharmacological properties and are used in various techniques of local anaesthesia administration, i.e. topical, infiltrative, epidural, spinal, and plexus block anaesthesia. A good working knowledge of local anaesthetics is required to enhance patient safety, experience and comfort.