Versatility of Local Anesthesia in Head and Neck Surgery: An 8-Year Retrospective Study

Nowadays, in contemporary head and neck surgery local anesthesia is an important tool that acts as a workhorse. The specific anatomy of the head and neck area certainly plays a crucial role in the successful use of this type of anesthesia. The main mechanism of action is that the local anesthetic inhibits the neuronal pain signal of peripheral nerve endings. However, this article presents a retrospective clinical study that describes significant possibilities of using local anesthesia in everyday surgical practice and in same-day surgery. This study also presents clinical experience in selected cases, which analyzes relevant parameters that can serve as a landmark when planning similar operations. With adequate selection of patients, choice of anesthetic and its adequate application, a wide range of operations in the head and neck area can be performed.