Advice after having a local anaesthetic

Patient Information Leaflet

Introduction

This leaflet is for people who have had a local anaesthetic. It gives advice on what you should do when you get home, and contact information for if you have any problems relating to your procedure.

What is local anaesthetic?

You will be fully awake during your treatment but will be given an injection of local anaesthetic. This numbs the area to be operated on so you should not feel any pain during the procedure. You may feel some vibration and pressure but most people are not bothered by this.

What should I do when I get home?

• The area will remain numb from the local anaesthetic for about two to three hours. When it wears off, you can take a painkiller such as paracetamol (always read the label; do not exceed the recommended dose).
• You may have a small dressing over the wound which you should keep clean.
• We will give you any specific instructions about your wound before you leave hospital.
• It is common for there to be a small amount of blood oozing from the wound in the first 24 hours after surgery. If you are concerned, apply gentle pressure over the dressing for 10 minutes to stop any bleeding.

If after 10 minutes you are still concerned, please contact us on one of the helpline numbers on the next page.

• You may have bruising, redness and swelling around the wound. This should go away within a few days.

Follow up care

We may give you an appointment for removal of stitches if you have any, or for the results of any tests you have had.  If this is not required, we may ask you to visit your GP to check your wound.

Helpline numbers

If you have any questions, or if there is anything you do not understand about this leaflet, please speak to a member of staff or contact:

Russells Hall Hospital Day Surgery Unit on 01384 456111 ext. 1886 (7.30am to 8pm, Monday to Friday) or

Pre-operative Assessment Unit on 01384 456111 ext. 1849 (7am to 7.30pm, Monday to Friday)

Out of these hours, urgent queries: contact Surgical Assessment Unit on 01384 456111 ext. 3359.

Russells Hall Hospital switchboard number: 01384 456111

If you have any feedback on this patient information leaflet, please email dgft.patient.information@nhs.net

Originator: Angela Larkin Date reviewed: January 2026 Next review due: January 2029  Version: 5 DGH ref: DGH/PIL/01231