Visceralanästhesie

Visceralanästhesie refers to the anesthesia of internal organs. Unlike somatic anesthesia, which targets the skin, muscles, and bones, visceral anesthesia deals with the pain signals originating from abdominal organs, the thoracic cavity, and the pelvis. The visceral afferent pathways are distinct from somatic pathways and often involve different nerve distributions and neurochemical mediators.

The pain perceived from visceral organs is often diffuse, poorly localized, and described as deep, cramping, or aching. This is because visceral pain fibers are generally unmyelinated C-fibers and have a wider convergence onto spinal cord neurons compared to somatic pain fibers. Common examples of visceral pain include that experienced during a heart attack, appendicitis, or bowel obstruction.

Techniques for achieving visceral anesthesia are less common and more complex than somatic anesthesia. They can include regional anesthetic techniques that target specific nerves supplying the viscera, such as celiac plexus blocks or superior hypogastric plexus blocks, often performed under image guidance. Systemic medications, including opioids and certain non-opioid analgesics, also play a significant role in managing visceral pain, as they act on the central nervous system to modulate pain perception. Understanding the unique physiology of visceral pain is crucial for effective management and anesthesia of these organs.