surface analgesia

surface analgesia

n.

See topical anesthesia.

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analgesia

absence of sensibility to pain, particularly the relief of pain without loss of consciousness; absence of pain or noxious stimulation. See also analgesic.

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continuous caudal analgesia

continuous injection of an anesthetic solution into the sacral and lumbar plexuses within the epidural space to relieve the pain of parturition; also used in general surgery to block the pain pathways caudal to the umbilicus (see also caudal anesthesia).

epidural analgesia

analgesia induced by introduction of the analgesic agent into the epidural space of the vertebral canal. See also epidural.

infiltration analgesia

paralysis of the nerve endings at the site of operation by subcutaneous injection of an anesthetic.

intrasynovial analgesia

surface analgesia, produced by the introduction of a local analgesic agent into the synovial cavity and massaged into tendon sheaths.

intravenous regional analgesia

the local anesthetic agent is injected intravenously caudal to a tourniquet. The tissues below the tourniquet become anesthetized. The tourniquet and the anesthesia can be maintained for up to 15 minutes. Called also Bier block (technique).

local analgesia

injection of an anesthetic agent to create local analgesia. Includes infiltration, nerve block, epidural, intrathecal, intrasynovial, subarachnoid. See anesthesia.

perioperative analgesia

given before, during and after the surgical procedure.

pre-emptive analgesia

administration of long-lasting analgesics before surgery to help to avoid the establishment of a sensitized state and result in diminished postoperative pain.

regional analgesia

see regional anesthesia.

segmental analgesia

see segmental dorsolumbar epidural block.

spinal analgesia

injection of an analgesic agent into the spinal canal, generally either into the subarachnoid or epidural space. See also spinal anesthesia.

surface analgesia

local analgesia produced by an anesthetic applied to the surface of mucous membranes, e.g. those of the eye, nose, throat and urethra.