What type of local anesthetic is commonly used in infiltration anesthesia?

Infiltration anesthesia typically utilizes local anesthetics that provide effective and prolonged pain relief in a specific area. Long-acting anesthetics, such as bupivacaine or ropivacaine, are preferred due to their sustained duration of action, which is beneficial for procedures that may require extended pain management.

These long-acting agents allow for a more comprehensive approach to pain control, particularly in surgical or invasive procedures where prolonged anesthetic effect is desirable. They help to minimize patient discomfort both during and after the procedure, as the anesthetic continues to provide pain relief for hours.

Conversely, short-acting anesthetics may not provide sufficient duration of analgesia for more invasive procedures and may require repeat administration, which can complicate the management of patient comfort. Regional anesthetics, while useful for broader areas of anesthesia, do not specifically pertain to infiltration techniques, which focus on localized administration directly into a targeted tissue area. Therefore, the use of long-acting local anesthetics in infiltration anesthesia is optimal for effective and lasting pain relief.