Spinal anesthesia may be used when the surgical site is too large or deep for a local block, but general anesthesia may not be desirable.
From the en.wikipedia.org
At a time of increasing use of regional anesthesia, the study provides reassurance that nerve block procedures are safe for anesthesia or pain control in children.
From the sciencedaily.com
Treatments include anesthesia injections to block the sympathetic nervous system and, in extreme cases, insertion of a catheter so continuous doses of anesthesia can be administered.
From the usatoday.com
I choose a spinal block instead of the normal general anesthesia, where they put you under, and was numbed from the waist down.