Intravenous regional anesthesia

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Intravenous Regional Anesthesia

File:Intravenous regional anesthesia.jpg
A medical professional administering intravenous regional anesthesia

Intravenous regional anesthesia (IVRA), also known as Bier's block, is a type of anesthesia that is used to numb a specific area of the body. This method of anesthesia is commonly used for surgeries on the arms and legs.

History[edit | edit source]

IVRA was first described by August Bier in 1908. Bier's initial technique involved injecting local anesthetics into the veins of the affected limb after applying a tourniquet to prevent the anesthetic from spreading to the rest of the body.

Procedure[edit | edit source]

The procedure for administering IVRA involves several steps. First, a tourniquet is applied to the limb to be anesthetized. This is followed by the injection of a local anesthetic into a vein in the same limb. The tourniquet prevents the anesthetic from spreading to the rest of the body, allowing it to numb only the desired area.

Advantages and Disadvantages[edit | edit source]

IVRA has several advantages over other forms of anesthesia. It is relatively simple to administer, it provides effective anesthesia for the duration of most surgical procedures, and it has a low risk of systemic toxicity. However, it also has some disadvantages, including the potential for tourniquet pain and the inability to provide anesthesia for procedures lasting longer than two hours.

Complications[edit | edit source]

While IVRA is generally safe, complications can occur. These may include tourniquet pain, systemic toxicity if the tourniquet fails or is released too soon, and nerve damage if the anesthetic is injected into a nerve rather than a vein.

See Also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD