Definition

Noun: * A medical procedure that induces loss of sensation in a specific, limited area of the body by applying an anesthetic agent directly to, or near, a nerve or bundle of nerves (a nerve plexus) that supplies that area. This prevents the nerves from transmitting pain signals to the brain.

Usage

• "Nerve block anaesthesia" is used to describe the technique or state of anesthesia itself. It is a precise method often employed for surgical procedures on limbs, the face, or specific body regions, or for managing chronic pain.
• It is a technical term used primarily in medical contexts.

Examples

• The surgeon opted for nerve block anaesthesia for the hand surgery, allowing the patient to remain awake without pain.
• Nerve block anaesthesia is frequently preferred for outpatient procedures due to its targeted effect and faster recovery time compared to general anesthesia.
• The anesthesiologist administered a nerve block anaesthesia to numb the patient's shoulder completely.

Advanced Usage

• The term specifies the of anesthesia (blocking a nerve pathway) rather than just the result (loss of sensation). It is often contrasted with general anesthesia (which affects the entire body and consciousness) and spinal or epidural anesthesia (which are types of central neuraxial blocks).

Variants and Related Words

• Nerve block (noun): A common shortened form of "nerve block anaesthesia."
• Conduction anesthesia (noun): A more general synonym that describes the same principle of interrupting nerve signal conduction.
• Regional anesthesia (noun): A broader category that includes nerve blocks, as well as spinal and epidural anesthesia, all of which numb a region of the body.
• Local anesthetic (noun): The drug (e.g., lidocaine, bupivacaine) used to perform a nerve block.

Synonyms

• Conduction anesthesia
• Regional nerve block
• Peripheral nerve block

Antonyms

• General anesthesia
• Systemic anesthesia

Noun

1. anesthesia of an area supplied by a nerve; produced by an anesthetic agent applied to the nerve