There are four general types of anesthesia:
- Local anesthesia—Numbing the tissue with medication at the exact spot where the surgery is required.
- Local anesthesia with intravenous (IV) sedation—Numbing the tissue and giving medication into your vein to make you more relaxed, drowsy and comfortable.
- General anesthesia—The administration of medication by an anesthesiologist, or certified registered nurse anesthetist in cooperation with your anesthesiologist, to make you completely unaware of any sensations throughout your entire body.
- Regional block (i.e., spinal anesthesia)—Numbing the specific part of the body that will undergo surgery. This is performed by the anesthesiologist. (Often includes intravenous sedation.)