Local Anesthesia in Interventional Radiology

Abstract

Interventional radiology is an evolving field that treats a variety of diseases. Local anesthetics is an important component of pain management during interventional radiologic procedures. It is highly effective and generally safe for routine procedures. However, local anesthetics can be associated with painful initial injection, allergic reactions, and rare but potentially devastating systemic toxicities. Recent evidence has shown that buffered solution and warm local anesthetics may reduce injection discomfort and improve clinical efficacy. Sensible safety practices and prompt recognition/treatment of the systemic toxicity are of paramount importance to provide safe local anesthesia. Interventional radiologists should be familiar with the basic pharmacology, common local anesthetics, optimizing strategies, complications, and management to provide safe and effective local anesthesia for patients.

Anesthesia Approaches in the Interventional Radiology Unit: A Retrospective Single-Center Study

“…Many peripherally applied procedures such as breast and kidney biopsy, PTC, hydatid cyst PAIR, abscess drainage, and stenting in carotid stenosis cannot be performed with LA alone due to periprocedural pain and anxiety. Supporting LA with sedoanalgesia increases the procedure's success and the patient's comfort (27,28). GA can also be given according to the general condition and preference of the patient and the procedure to be performed.…”