Philippine Journal of Surgical Specialties 1999;11(2):67-74

Adjuvants to regional anaesthesia

de la Cruz-Odi Merle F.

Country

Philippines

Language

English

Abstract

This discussion will focus on non-narcotic adjuvants to regional anaesthesia. Specifically, this paper will explore the use of alpha-2-adrenergic agonists (i.e. clonidine), anticholinestease (neostigmine) and a phencyclidine (ketamine) combined with local anaesthetics for regional and peripheral nerve blocks or used systematically to enhanced analgesia from local anaesthetic techniques. The spinal gaba- ergic system (i.e. midazolam) is primarily an inhibitory system. Enhancing inhibition is an exciting mechanism that is being explored at the present time, and is not discussed in this paper.