Anesthesiology-Services

Regional Anesthesiology

On this page:

Overview

At The Ottawa Hospital, we offer different types of anesthesia to help manage pain and keep you comfortable during surgery. This page explains regional anesthesia—how it works, the options available and what to expect before, during and after your procedure. 

A doctor in a white coat holds and explains a model of the human spine to a patient seated nearby in a medical office.

Types of anesthesia

You and your anesthesiologist will decide together which option is best for you. The main types include: 

General anesthesia  

You are fully asleep

Regional anesthesia

A larger area of your body is numbed

Local anesthesia

A small, specific area near the surgery site is numbed

About regional anesthesia

What is regional anesthesia?

Regional anesthesia involves injecting numbing medicine (local anesthetic) near your nerves to block feeling in a specific part of your body. It can be used on its own or with other types of anesthesia to help manage pain during and after surgery.

In some cases, a small tube (catheter) is placed near the nerve to deliver medication for several days—either in hospital or at home using a small portable pump. 

Benefits of regional anesthesia

  • Reduces pain after surgery.
  • Lowers the need for strong pain medications like opioids.
  • May reduce nausea and help with faster recovery.
  • Can allow some surgeries without general anesthesia.
  • Can improve the overall recovery experience. 

Types of regional anesthesia we offer

  • Spinal anesthesia.
  • Epidural anesthesia.
  • Paravertebral nerve blocks (for chest and abdominal surgery).
  • Chest wall and abdominal blocks (e.g., TAP, PEC, 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). 

Team

All anesthesiologists at The Ottawa Hospital are trained in spinal and epidural techniques. We also have a specialized Regional Anesthesia Team with advanced training in nerve blocks.

Team members have completed fellowships at leading institutions including:

  • University of Ottawa
  • Harvard University (Brigham and Women’s Hospital)
  • Monash Medical Centre, Australia
  • Virginia Mason Center, Seattle
  • Duke University, North Carolina
  • University of Toronto

One team member received the Canadian Anesthesiologists’ Society Clinical Teacher Award for excellence in education. Former fellows now lead programs across Canada and internationally, including Halifax, Vancouver, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Australia, and the UK. 

What to expect

Before surgery 

You’ll meet your anesthesiologist at a Pre-Assessment Clinic visit or on the day of surgery. They’ll explain your options, answer questions and help you decide if regional anesthesia is right for you. 

During surgery 

The anesthesiologist will numb the area having surgery. You may also receive medication to help you relax or sleep lightly. Regional anesthesia may be used alone or with general anesthesia. 

After surgery

The numbness will wear off gradually over a few hours. If a nerve catheter is used, it may stay in place 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 contact if you have questions.

Risks

Regional anesthesia is very safe, but like any procedure, it carries some risks.

Common and temporary effects:

  • Numbness or tingling
  • Temporary weakness in the numbed area

Rare risks:

  • Infection
  • Bleeding
  • Nerve injury
  • Allergic reaction

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. 

Contact us

Regional Anesthesia

613-738-8456

Monday to Friday 7:15 a.m. to 4 p.m.