Which type of anesthesia is used for larger areas of the body during surgery?

Regional anesthesia is specifically designed for larger areas of the body during surgical procedures. This method involves the injection of anesthetic agents around major nerves or within the epidural or spinal area, thereby blocking sensation and pain in a specific region while allowing the patient to remain conscious or sedated if needed. This makes it particularly suitable for surgeries on the lower limbs, abdomen, or pelvis, as it effectively numbs a larger area compared to local anesthesia, which targets only a small, specific part of the body.

General anesthesia would render the patient completely unconscious and is typically used for surgeries requiring extensive intervention, but it doesn't target specific regions like regional anesthesia does. Local anesthesia is limited to small areas and is not suitable for larger surgical fields. Inhaled anesthesia refers more to the delivery method (as in gases that induce general anesthesia) rather than the specific area of effect, making it less applicable when discussing anesthesia for larger areas. Thus, regional anesthesia is the correct choice for its ability to provide effective pain relief over larger surgical areas.