Please note that the following information applies to most patients having surgery. However, some patients may have specific medical conditions which may require different treatment. Your anesthesiologist will be able to answer any questions you may have during the preoperative interview or if you wish, you may e-mail your questions to kvega@totalanesthesia.com.

What is Local Anesthesia?
In Local Anesthesia, local anesthetic drugs like Xylocaine or Lidocaine (similar to those used by your dentist,) are injected into a specific part of your body, like the hand or foot, to numb it. The nerve cells in this region are prevented from sending pain signals through the nervous system to the brain. Either the anesthesiologist taking care of you or your surgeon may make the injection using a very small needle. The injection may be felt as a brief sting.

What is Regional Anesthesia?
In Regional Anesthesia, an injection of anesthetic drug is made near a specific nerve or the spinal cord to numb the area of your body that requires surgery. Common nerve blocks are used to numb the arm or leg. An electrical stimulator or ultrasound machine may be used to find the exact spot in which to make the injection. When the needle is in the correct position, local anesthetic medicines will be injected.

Why would my Anesthesiologist prescribe Local or Regional Anesthesia?
By targeting the specific area undergoing surgery, Local and Regional anesthesia have less effect on the rest of the body. They tend to affect heart and lung function less than general anesthesia, so these anesthetics may help patients with heart disease or breathing problems. Recovery is often faster than with general anesthesia, and the side effects tend to be less. Also, these anesthetics can provide long-lasting pain relief after surgery.

If I get Local or Regional Anesthesia, will I be awake during my surgery or asleep?
Most patients want to be asleep or “not to know what’s going on” during surgery. This can be accomplished with either general anesthesia or local or regional anesthesia. In Regional Anesthesia, the anesthesiologist will administer a variety of sedative drugs to keep you sleepy and comfortable, while still breathing on your own. In contrast, General Anesthesia means that you lose consciousness and often require help with your breathing. Some patients may remain conscious and even talking during the surgery, but they often do not remember even being in the operating room. For most patients, the first thing they remember after their IV start is their arrival in the recovery unit following the procedure.

Will I experience any pain during the procedure?
Sometimes patients will feel pulling, tugging or sensations of pressure during the procedure. This is quite normal, and is similar to dental surgery where touch and pressure feelings are present but there is no pain. If the patient perceives any unpleasant sensation, then the anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist will administer more medicines to make you more comfortable. Also, he or she may ask the surgeon to administer more local anesthetic directly to the surgical site. We will give you enough medication to keep you safe and comfortable during your surgery.

Who will decide which type of anesthesia I will have?
You and your anesthesiologist will make the final choice on the type of anesthetic you will receive. First, your anesthesiologist will conduct a thorough pre-anesthesia evaluation of your medical history, perform a physical exam and review your laboratory results and other tests. Based on this assessment, he or she will prescribe an anesthetic that is best suited to your medical needs. If the procedure can be safely done under local or regional anesthesia, these will probably be the recommended options. The risks and benefits of the various anesthetic choices to you will be discussed. If a patient expresses a strong preference for general anesthesia, then the anesthesiologist will do his or her best to keep the patient safe while accommodating that request.

Will someone stay with me during the entire operation?
Yes. An anesthesiologist or a nurse anesthetist (C.R.N.A.) under your anesthesiologist’s supervision will be present with you from the start of your care, through the operating room to the time that you are taken to the recovery unit. He or she will not only administer anesthesia medicines, but will also monitor your vital functions, including breathing, heart rhythm, blood pressure, brain and kidney functions throughout your operation. Your anesthesiologist will be responsible for diagnosing and treating any unexpected issues which may arise during surgery as well as any medical problems which you may have had before surgery.

Does Local or Regional anesthesia cost less?
All patients in the operating room receive the same level of monitoring and require the same degree of vigilance during the procedure, so the costs are the same. These are the necessary steps to ensure a safe outcome for all our patients.

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