Paracervical Block
Regional anesthetic technique involving injection of local anesthetic around the cervix to provide pain relief during labor or gynecologic procedures.
Full Definition
Paracervical block is a regional anesthetic technique where local anesthetic is injected bilaterally at the lateral fornices of the vagina, targeting the paracervical ganglia. This provides anesthesia to the cervix and lower uterine segment during labor or gynecologic procedures. While effective for cervical dilation pain, it does not relieve perineal pain and carries risks of fetal bradycardia due to potential systemic absorption or inadvertent fetal injection.
Usage
Usage note: Often confused with pudendal block, which targets different nerve pathways and provides perineal rather than cervical anesthesia.
In Context
- "The obstetrician requested a paracervical block to facilitate cervical examination during prolonged labor." — Labor and delivery notes
- "Fetal heart rate monitoring showed bradycardia following paracervical block administration." — Anesthetic complication report