General Anesthesia
What are the 5 basic reasons for someone to require general anesthesia?
- Analgesia- loss of response to pain.
- Amnesia- loss of memory.
- Immobility- loss of muscle reflexes.
- Unconsciousness- loss of consciousness.
- Skeletal muscle relaxation.
How are these 5 goals achieved?
On the day of surgery, your anesthesia provider will discuss your anesthetic plan with you. An IV will be started. Anesthesia consent will be signed. You will speak with your surgeon then sedation medicine will be given. You will be taken to the OR and standard monitors will be applied. Medicine will be given through your IV to put you to sleep. A breathing device will be placed to protect your airway. You will be monitored during the entire case. Medicine for pain and nausea will be given. When the surgery is over we will remove the breathing device and wake you up. You will be taken to the recovery room.
Regional Anesthesia
What is a nerve block?
It is a way to reduce/totally prevent the pain sensation that patients experience from certain surgeries. The anesthesiologist can use their knowledge of anatomy to locate the nerves going to the part of the body being operated on.
Which cases are nerve blocks good for?
Nerve blocks are most commonly used for orthopedic surgeries where the nerves going to that area can be isolated. We have also started doing regional blocks for belly and hernia surgeries as well. Your anesthesia provider can explain more.
How is a nerve block done?
The nerve block is explained to the patient, consent for the block is obtained, standard monitoring is applied, the patient is sedated, the area to be blocked is cleaned with chloroprene, and local is given. Next, the desired nerves are located using anatomical landmarks or ultrasound to place a needle attached to a nerve stimulator as close to the desired nerve as possible. Local anesthetic is injected and after 10 to 15 mins all sensations going to that area are taken away. A catheter can be placed to prolong the duration of this effect for 2 to 3 days.
OB Anesthesia
Congratulations on your special day!
What is an epidural?
An Epidural is the most popular way to reduce the pain experienced during childbirth. The epidural blocks the pain signals coming from the belly button down.
How is an epidural placed?
When you come to a facility serviced by Texans Anesthesia you will have your epidural placed by one of our Anesthesiologists.
- We will obtain your consent for the procedure.
- You will be placed in the sitting position.
- Your back will be cleaned with chloroprene to kill any bacteria.
- You will be asked to arch your back in the form of a “mad cat”.
- Local anesthetic will be given to numb the back.
- An epidural needle will be placed and you will feel a pressure sensation as the needle is advanced.
- A “loss of resistance” is felt and that lets the Anesthesiologist know that they are in the right place.
- A catheter (small tube) is left in the epidural space and the epidural needle is removed.
- The catheter is attached to an epidural pump, a rate is set, and you will notice a significant decrease in the pain.
You can now sit back, relax, and enjoy childbirth with your friends and family!
Pediatric Anesthesia
What if my child is very nervous?
This is common and normal for children having surgery and Texan Anesthesiologists are very sensitive towards this matter! After the anesthesia plan is explained to the parents, we will give your child oral sedatives.
Will an IV be placed while my child is awake?
Your anesthesia provider will make the decision if an IV has to be started in the preop area based on the complexity of the surgery and if your child has any other medical problems. Most times an IV can be placed after your child is asleep.
Where does my child go after surgery?
After surgery, your child will go to the recovery area. They will spend about 30 mins there. Please don’t be alarmed if you come in and your child is crying. Children will usually cry because of all the strangers around them. They usually calm right down once they see their parents.