Covid and Regional Anaesthesia

Currently we are at the peak of the second wave of pandemic. Availability of beds & oxygen is at nadir. The patients coming to us for surgery are the ones where surgery cannot wait. Mainly the load is obstetric. As a matter of COVID pandemic policy we are using regional anaesthesia unless contraindicated or the surgery demands general anaesthesia. The aim is to avoid/reduce aerosolization which is part & parcel of GA, despite the efforts to minimise it. The policy is to protect the anaesthesiologists, surgeons, OT staff & other patients as well. The present manuscript is to review the role of regional anaesthesia & its safe performance.