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Related Concept Videos

Local Anesthetics: Common Agents and Their Applications01:23

Local Anesthetics: Common Agents and Their Applications

Local anesthetics (LAs) are commonly used for various applications in medical and dental procedures. Some of the common agents used are cocaine, lidocaine, and bupivacaine.
Cocaine is an ester of benzoic acid and methylecgogine. It is used to anesthetize and vasoconstrict locally. Currently, it is used primarily for topical applications. It is beneficial for surgeries on the upper respiratory tract, providing anesthesia and shrinking the mucosa. Cocaine in the form of cocaine hydrochloride is...
Local Anesthetics: Chemistry and Structure-Activity Relationship01:30

Local Anesthetics: Chemistry and Structure-Activity Relationship

Local anesthetics (LAs) are drugs that induce a temporary loss of sensation in a limited body area, preventing pain. Cocaine was the first local anesthetic discovered in the late 19th century. Cocaine is a benzoic acid ester obtained from the leaves of coca shrubs and was often used for its psychotropic effects. Cocaine was first isolated in 1860 by Albert Niemann. Sigmund Freud studied the physiological actions of cocaine. Carl Koller later introduced it into clinical practice in 1884 as a...
Local Anesthetics: Pharmacokinetics01:13

Local Anesthetics: Pharmacokinetics

The potency and duration of action of local anesthetics (LAs) are determined by their pharmacokinetics. Pharmacokinetics describes how LAs are absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and eliminated from the body. When administered to the vascular tissues, LAs are quickly absorbed and enter the systemic circulation, reducing their localized effects. Adding vasoconstrictors such as epinephrine to LAs reduces their absorption into the systemic circulation, making them clinically effective. The...
Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Surface, Infiltration, and Conduction Block Anesthesia01:30

Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Surface, Infiltration, and Conduction Block Anesthesia

Depending on the target organ, local anesthetics (LAs) can be administered via various routes. In surface anesthesia, LAs are applied directly to the surface of the skin or mucous membranes. It is widely used for topical skin numbing before venipuncture or minor surgical procedures. Commonly used surface local anesthetics are lidocaine or benzocaine sprays or creams. Surface anesthesia occurs within 5 minutes and lasts for about 60 minutes. One of the main disadvantages of topical anesthesia is...
Local Anesthetics: Adverse Effects01:12

Local Anesthetics: Adverse Effects

While local anesthetics are generally safe and well-tolerated, they can occasionally cause adverse effects that vary in severity. Local anesthetics can induce toxicity at two distinct levels. They can either produce local effects through direct contact with the neural elements or be absorbed into the bloodstream from the injection site, leading to systemic effects.
Once absorbed into the systemic circulation, local anesthetics can affect the organs that depend on the functioning of sodium...
Local Anesthetics: Mechanism of Action01:23

Local Anesthetics: Mechanism of Action

Local anesthetics (LAs) block sensory and motor impulses by inhibiting the sodium channels on the nerve cell membranes. This induces temporary loss of sensation, relieving pain in a specific body area.
Local anesthetics are amphiphilic molecules consisting of a hydrophobic aromatic part linked to a hydrophilic group by an ester or amide linkage. They are weak bases and are usually available as salts, which increases their solubility and stability. Once administered, LAs exist in the body either...

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Evaluating the Immune Response of a Nanoemulsion Adjuvant Vaccine Against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Infection
07:32

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Published on: September 1, 2023

Local anaesthetics and adjuvants--future developments.

M D Wiles1, M H Nathanson

  • 1Division of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, University of Nottingham, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, UK. matt.wiles@nottingham.ac.uk

Anaesthesia
|April 10, 2010
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Local anesthesia offers a revolutionary alternative to general anesthesia, expanding patient and practitioner choices. Recent advancements are addressing historical safety concerns and drug limitations.

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Area of Science:

  • Anesthesiology
  • Medical History

Background:

  • General anesthesia's public debut overshadowed early local anesthesia development.
  • Limited anesthetic agent choices and safety concerns historically hampered local anesthesia's progress.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the historical trajectory and evolving significance of local anesthesia.
  • To underscore the recent resurgence and advancements in local anesthetic techniques and agents.

Main Methods:

  • Historical review of anesthetic practices.
  • Analysis of the development of local, regional, and neuraxial blockade techniques.
  • Examination of drug development and safety perceptions over time.

Main Results:

  • Local anesthesia introduced a new dimension to anesthetic options.
  • Progress in local anesthesia was significantly delayed by safety concerns and limited drug availability until the late 20th century.
  • A recent renaissance has accelerated the development of local anesthetic techniques and drugs.

Conclusions:

  • Local anesthesia has evolved from a less-celebrated option to a critical component of modern anesthetic practice.
  • Ongoing research is focused on overcoming longstanding challenges associated with local anesthetic agents.