[Local and regional anesthesia].

Operations on the cutaneous surfaces are mainly performed under local anesthesia. Local infiltrative anesthesia is the most frequently used form in cutaneous surgery. Nerve or field block anesthesia can be used in areas like the external ear, nose, digits or penis. Local anesthesia is easy to administer, rapidly effective and relatively free of side effects. In contrast to general anesthesia it can be used in risk patients e.g. with ischemic heart disease or respiratory illnesses. Adverse reactions must be taken into account, especially toxic effects, allergy, drug interactions or traumatic lesions of nerves or blood vessels.