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Regional Anesthesiology
At The Ottawa Hospital, your comfort and safety are our priority. We offer different types of anesthesia to help manage pain and keep you comfortable during surgery. This guide explains Regional Anesthesia — how it works, the options available, and what you can expect before, during, and after your operation.
After your surgery is scheduled, you’ll meet your anesthesiologist — either at a Pre-Assessment Clinic visit or on the day of surgery. Together, you’ll decide which anesthesia option is best for you.
We use three main types of anesthesia, sometimes in combination:
- General Anesthesia: You are fully asleep.
- Regional Anesthesia: Numbs a larger area of your body.
- Local Anesthesia: Numbs a small, specific area near the surgery site.
What is Regional Anesthesia?
Regional anesthesia involves injecting a numbing medicine (local anesthetic) near your nerves. This temporarily blocks feeling in a specific part of your body.
It can be used alone or with other types of anesthesia to help control pain during and after surgery.
How It Works
The medication is injected close to the nerves that carry sensation from the surgical area. This numbs the region, providing pain relief.
In some cases, a small tube called a catheter is placed near the nerve to deliver numbing medication for several days — either while you’re in the hospital or at home using a small portable pump.
Benefits of Regional Anesthesia
- Reduces pain after surgery
- Decreases the need for strong pain medicines (like opioids)
- May reduce nausea and speed up recovery
- Allows certain surgeries without general anesthesia
- Can improve overall recovery experience
Types of Regional Anesthesia We Offer
At The Ottawa Hospital, we provide several types of regional anesthesia, including:
- Spinal Anesthesia
- Epidural Anesthesia
- Paravertebral Nerve Blocks (for chest and abdominal surgery)
- Chest Wall and Abdominal Blocks (such as TAP, PEC, or Serratus blocks)
- Brachial Plexus Blocks (for shoulder, arm, or hand surgery — with optional home catheters)
- Lower Extremity Nerve Blocks (for hip, knee, or foot surgery — with optional home catheters)
About Our Regional Anesthesia Team
All our anesthesiologists are trained in spinal and epidural techniques. We also have a specialized Regional Anesthesia Team with advanced training in nerve blocks.
Our team has completed fellowships at world-renowned institutions like:
- University of Ottawa
- Brigham and Women’s Hospital (Harvard University)
- Monash Medical Centre, Australia
- Virginia Mason Center, Seattle
- Duke University, North Carolina
- University of Toronto
Awards & Recognition
One team member received the Canadian Anesthesiologists’ Society Clinical Teacher Award for excellence in regional anesthesia education.
Our former fellows now lead regional anesthesia programs across Canada and around the world, including Halifax, Vancouver, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Australia, and the UK.
What to Expect
Before Surgery:
You’ll meet with your anesthesiologist at your Pre-Assessment Clinic appointment or on surgery day. They’ll explain your options, answer questions, and help you choose whether regional anesthesia is right for you.
During Surgery:
The anesthesiologist will numb the area of your body having surgery. You might also receive medication to help you relax or sleep lightly. Some surgeries may use regional anesthesia alone or combined with general anesthesia.
After Surgery:
The numbness will gradually wear off over a few hours. If a nerve catheter is in place, it may remain for a day or two to help manage pain while you recover. You’ll receive clear instructions on how to care for it and who to call if you have concerns.
Are There Any Risks?
Regional anesthesia is very safe, but like any procedure, it has potential side effects and risks.
Common and temporary effects:
- Numbness or tingling
- Temporary weakness in the numbed area
Rare risks:
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Nerve injury
- Allergic reaction
Your anesthesiologist will review these with you before your procedure.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
It depends on your surgery and preferences. Some procedures use regional anesthesia alone; others combine it with light sedation or general anesthesia. Your anesthesiologist will recommend the safest option for you.
You might feel a small pinch when the numbing medicine is injected, followed by pressure. The area quickly becomes numb, and you shouldn’t feel pain afterward.
It depends on the type of block and medication. Some last a few hours; others up to 24 hours. If you have a catheter, the effect can continue for several days.
Yes. For certain surgeries, you may go home with a small catheter connected to a portable pump that continues to deliver numbing medicine. You’ll receive instructions and a phone number to call if you have concerns.
If you go home with a nerve block catheter, call us or seek medical help if you experience:
- Severe pain not relieved by medication
- Increasing numbness or weakness
- Signs of infection (fever, redness, swelling, or discharge at the catheter site)
- Trouble moving your arm or leg after the numbness should have worn off
Our team is here to help keep you safe and comfortable.
For more trusted information about regional anesthesia, visit: American Society of Regional Anesthesia (ASRA) Patient Info,
Contact Us
Have questions? Speak with your anesthesiologist at your Pre-Assessment Clinic visit.
Phone: 613-738-8456.
Clinic Hours: Mon. – Fri. 7:15 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
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Last updated on: May 13th, 2025