Addressing human factors in the recognition and management of local anaesthetic systemic toxicity

Abstract

In the perioperative environment, local anaesthetics are commonly administered to patients to provide analgesia and anaesthesia for a large range of surgical procedures. Although rare, their use can result in systemic toxicity, which is a life-threatening complication, underscoring the importance of early recognition and prompt management to mitigate patient risks. This article evaluates the impact of human factors and other aspects such as insufficient monitoring, errors in drug administration and poor adherence to safety protocols on the development and management of local anaesthetic systemic toxicity and provides practical considerations to minimise its occurrence.