An injection is administered into the back or around nerves to numb a part of your body

The patient is conscious or sedated (sleepy) but free from pain

It may be preferrable to a general anaesthesia

The patient is monitored throughout the operation and anaesthesia, and the anaesthetist will be there at all times.

Advantages over general anaesthesias are: good pain relief, less drowsiness, less sickness, earlier food intake after the operation, some protection from blood clots

More information about regional anaesthesia