Drug Safety
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True complications of regional block procedures pertain to the performance of the block technique and the local anaesthetic. Such complications include lesions caused by the device used, and many of these complications can be avoided by using specifically designed devices. Complications related to the local anaesthetic solution mainly consist of local and systemic complications. ⋯ There are 2 other groups of disorders often reported as complications of regional anaesthetics: (i) effects that were not anticipated by the anaesthetist because of a lack of knowledge of all the consequences of the technique used; and (ii) complications attributed to a concomitant regional block procedure but with no established, sometimes even improbable, causal link with the regional technique. The overall morbidity of regional anaesthesia in children is low. Sound selection of local anaesthetics, insertion routes and block procedures, together with appropriate and careful monitoring, should prevent any major undesirable effects and enable regional anaesthesia to be a well tolerated and effective tool to overcome pain associated with minimal morbidity.