Definition

• Local anesthesia is a technique used to induce the reversible absence of sensation (anesthesia) in a part of the body (loca).
• It involves the administration of local anesthetic agents which prevent the transmission of noxious stimuli via the peripheral and central nervous system, to the brain.

Introduction

Physiology

Pharmacology of local anesthetics

Classes of local blocks

Complications

Further Reading

Publications

Refereed papers

• Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
• Michou J & Leece E (2012) Sedation and analgesia in the standing horse 2. Local anaesthesia and analgesia techniques. In Pract 34 (10), 578-587.
• Nieto J E, Rakestraw P C, Snyder J R & Vatistas N J (2000) In vitro effects of erythromycin, lidocaine and metoclopramide on smooth muscle from the pyloric antrum, proximal portion of the duodenum, and middle portion of the jejunum of horses. Am J Vet Res 61, 413-419 PubMed.
• Doherty T & Frazier D (1998) Effect of intravenous lidocaine on halothane minimum alveolar concentration in ponies. Equine Vet J 30 (4), 300-303 PubMed.
• Muir W W (1998) Anesthesia and pain management in horses. Equine Vet Educ 10 (6), 335-340.

Other sources of information

• Dugdale A (2010) Veterinary Anaesthesia: Principles to Practice. Wiley-Blackwell.
• Skarda R T & Tranquilli W J (2007) Local and Regional Anesthetic and Analgesic techniques: Horses. In: Lumb & Jones' Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia. Blackwell Publishing.
• Muir W W, Hubbell J A E & Skarda R (1989) Handbook of Veterinary Anesthesia. Mosby.