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Related Concept Videos

Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Spinal Anesthesia01:11

Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Spinal Anesthesia

Spinal anesthetics are given during lower abdomen and limb surgeries to block sensory and motor neurons. They are administered in the mid to low lumbar regions, primarily acting on the cauda equina's nerve roots. The blockade level depends on the local anesthetic (LA) concentration. Usually, low LA concentrations are sufficient to block sensory fibers, while only high LA concentrations block motor fibers. Other factors like injection volume and speed, the patient's posture, and the drug...
Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Intravenous Regional Anesthesia01:16

Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Intravenous Regional Anesthesia

Intravenous regional anesthesia or the Bier block technique is used to anesthetize a specific limb or extremity. It uses exsanguinated or blood-drained vessels to transport local anesthetics or LAs to the peripheral nerve trunks. Lidocaine without vasoconstrictors like epinephrine is most commonly used for this technique. Other drugs used are prilocaine, ropivacaine, and chloroprocaine. Bupivacaine is not recommended for this technique due to its high cardiac toxicity.
One of the advantages of...
Nondepolarizing (Competitive) Neuromuscular Blockers: Pharmacological Actions01:27

Nondepolarizing (Competitive) Neuromuscular Blockers: Pharmacological Actions

Nondepolarizing neuromuscular blockers prevent the membrane depolarization of muscle cells and inhibit muscle contraction. These are usually administered with anesthetics to achieve complete muscle relaxation. Upon administration, these drugs first block the small, rapidly contracting muscles of the face and hands, followed by the larger muscles of the trunk and the intercostal muscles. The diaphragm is the last muscle to be affected.
Although all competitive neuromuscular blockers are designed...
Classification of Skeletal Muscle Relaxants01:28

Classification of Skeletal Muscle Relaxants

Skeletal muscle relaxants are a group of drugs that can reduce muscle stiffness and induce temporary paralysis to relieve pain. These agents can act centrally to reduce muscle tone or spasms in painful conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or spinal injuries; they are called antispasmodics or spasmolytics.
Peripherally acting skeletal muscle relaxants interfere with the neurotransmission at the neuromuscular end plate to induce paralysis during...
Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Epidural Anesthesia01:29

Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Epidural Anesthesia

Epidural anesthetics are administered in the fat-filled epidural space, the outermost part of the spinal canal. This technique is commonly employed for pain management and anesthesia during lower abdomen and pelvis surgeries or labor and delivery.
Since epidural anesthetics can be infused through an epidural catheter, all types of drugs, including short-acting ones, can be administered. Chloroprocaine and lidocaine are examples of short and long-duration anesthetics, respectively. Bupivacaine...
Depolarizing Blockers: Mechanism of Action01:28

Depolarizing Blockers: Mechanism of Action

Depolarizing blockers act on skeletal muscle fibers' membranes and induce their depolarization. Most depolarizing blockers have two quaternary N+ atoms that bind the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and cause neuromuscular blockade within minutes.
Succinylcholine is the most commonly used depolarizing blocker. Chemically, it constitutes two molecules of acetylcholine joined together by an acetate methyl group. They act on the receptors in the same way as acetylcholine. Because succinylcholine...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 29, 2026

Electrophysiological Methods to Assess Peripheral Pain Block in an Anesthetized Rat
08:05

Electrophysiological Methods to Assess Peripheral Pain Block in an Anesthetized Rat

Published on: November 21, 2025

Spinal blocks.

Hannu Kokki1

  • 1Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Kuopio University Hospital, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland. hannu.kokki@kuh.fi

Paediatric Anaesthesia
|September 9, 2011
PubMed
Summary

Spinal anesthesia is an effective technique for lower body pain relief. While its duration can be limited, adjuvants or combined epidural anesthesia can extend its effects, with rare contraindications and generally mild side effects in children.

Area of Science:

  • Anesthesiology
  • Pediatric Anesthesia

Background:

  • Spinal anesthesia involves injecting local anesthetics into the lumbar cerebrospinal fluid for effective anesthesia and analgesia.
  • Its primary limitation is the variable and short duration of the block with single-injection.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the indications, contraindications, and adverse effects of spinal anesthesia in pediatric patients.
  • To discuss strategies for managing the duration and potential complications of spinal anesthesia in children.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on spinal anesthesia in pediatric populations.
  • Analysis of adverse effects and management strategies, including the use of adjuvants and combined techniques.

Main Results:

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Spinal Sonography for Ultrasound-Guided Lumbar Neuraxial Anesthesia
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Spinal Sonography for Ultrasound-Guided Lumbar Neuraxial Anesthesia

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Surgical Technique for Spinal Cord Delivery of Therapies: Demonstration of Procedure in Gottingen Minipigs
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Surgical Technique for Spinal Cord Delivery of Therapies: Demonstration of Procedure in Gottingen Minipigs

Published on: December 7, 2012

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Electrophysiological Methods to Assess Peripheral Pain Block in an Anesthetized Rat
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Electrophysiological Methods to Assess Peripheral Pain Block in an Anesthetized Rat

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Spinal Sonography for Ultrasound-Guided Lumbar Neuraxial Anesthesia
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Spinal Sonography for Ultrasound-Guided Lumbar Neuraxial Anesthesia

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Surgical Technique for Spinal Cord Delivery of Therapies: Demonstration of Procedure in Gottingen Minipigs
09:23

Surgical Technique for Spinal Cord Delivery of Therapies: Demonstration of Procedure in Gottingen Minipigs

Published on: December 7, 2012

  • Spinal anesthesia is generally safe in children, with cardiovascular deterioration being uncommon even with high blocks.
  • Common adverse effects include postdural puncture headache and transient neurological symptoms, similar to adults.
  • Sedation is often required for pediatric surgery under spinal anesthesia, necessitating careful respiratory monitoring.

    • Conclusions:

    • Spinal anesthesia is a viable and effective anesthetic technique for pediatric surgery.
    • Management strategies involving adjuvants and combined epidural anesthesia can prolong the analgesic effect.
    • Awareness and management of potential adverse effects, such as postdural puncture headache, are crucial for patient care.