<unk>  (or<unk> , also called spinal block, subarachnoid block, intradural block and intrathecal block, is a form of neuraxial regional<unk>  involving the injection of a local anaesthetic or opioid into the subarachnoid space, generally through a fine needle, usually long. It is a<unk> fe and effective form of<unk>  usually performed by anesthesiologists that can be used as an alternative to general<unk>  commonly in surgeries involving the lower extremities and surgeries below the umbilicus. The local anesthetic with or without an opioid injected into the cerebrospinal fluid provides locoregional<unk> : true analgesia, motor, sensory and autonomic (sympathic) blockade. Administering analgesics (opioid, alpha2-adrenoreceptor agonist) in the cerebrospinal fluid without a local anaesthetic produces locoregional analgesia: markedly reduced pain sensation (incomplete analgesia), some autonomic blockade (parasympathetic plexi), but no sensory or motor block. Locoregional analgesia, due to mainly the absence of motor and sympathic block may be preferred over locoregional<unk>  in some postoperative care settings. The tip of the spinal needle has a point or small bevel. Recently, pencil point needles have been made available (Whitacre, Sprotte, Gertie Marx and others).
Spinal anaesthesia
Neurosurgical anesthesia
Local anesthesia
General anaesthesia
Combined spinal and epidural anaesthesia
Anesthesia
Sedoanalgesia
Neuraxial blockade