regional anaesthesia techniques
Last reviewed 01/2018
Regional anaesthesia may be used on its own or with general anaesthesia to treat the obese patient. The forms of regional anaesthesia used are primarily epidural and spinal blockade to give analgesia and muscle relaxation at the required level.
Advantages include:
- can be used in patient without sufficient reserve for general anaesthesia
- improved postoperative respiratory function if continuous epidural infusion
- decreased incidence of deep vein thrombosis
Difficulties include:
- difficult access of the needles to their target space
- potential sympathetic blockade and vasodilatation
- further reduction in respiratory function