Intravenous regional anesthesia, also called Bier block anesthesia, is an anesthetic technique on the body extremities in which a local anesthetic is injected intravenously and isolated from general circulation in a target area. The technique usually involves exsanguination of the target region, forcing blood out of the extremity, followed by application of a pneumatic tourniquet to safely stop blood flow; the anesthetic agent is then introduced intravenously into the limb and allowed to diffuse into the surrounding tissue while the tourniquet retains it within the desired area.
Facts
FAQs
Which operations is a Bier block used for?
The educational site Life in the Fast Lane describes intravenous regional anesthesia as a simple, safe technique for various surgeries on the upper and lower limbs. It adds that the local anesthetic diffuses into the surrounding nerves, and that the local ischemia caused by the tourniquet contributes to the pain relief. This describes how the source characterizes the technique and is not medical advice.
Sources
1. Wikipedia
Wikipedia contributors, Wikimedia Foundation
Intravenous regional anesthesia (Wikipedia)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intravenous_regional_anesthesia, lead sectionQuote, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intravenous_regional_anesthesia, lead section
Intravenous regional anesthesia (IVRA) or Bier's block anesthesia is an anesthetic technique on the body's extremities where a local anesthetic is injected intravenously and isolated from circulation in a target area.
Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.