Regional anaesthesia includes epidural anaesthesia, spinal anaesthesia and blocks to specific nerves to block sensation in the parts of the body served.

Regional anaesthesia involves the introduction of drugs with the intention of blocking the nerve supply to that part of the body, such as a limb, so the patient cannot feel pain in that area when a surgical operation is performed. Unlike general anaesthesia, the patient remains awake, leading to less side-effects and enabling the surgeon to converse with the patient during the procedure.

Regional anaesthesia is now more common than general anaesthesia for caesarian section.