Spinal surgery without general anesthesia: Although it is sometimes called “Awake” spine surgery, this is a misnomer since the surgery is performed under conscious sedation or twilight sleep. Sedation is administered through the IV so patients can remain comfortable and pain free. The level of sedation can be light or heavier depending on...
Post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is unfortunately a very common side effect of surgery and anesthesia, affecting roughly 1/3 of patients in the general surgical population. PONV can lead to longer stays in the recovery room, increased healthcare costs, and more importantly it is extremely uncomfortable for the patient. You may be at increased risk for experiencing PONV if you are younger (age < 50), have a history of motion sickness, or have had nausea after anesthesia in the past.
Certainly, general anesthesia is frequently the only option for a multitude of different surgeries. It will typically involve airway management with the placement of a breathing tube and inhalation of anesthesia gas. Though it can be performed safely, it can still be quite complex and can come with a considerable amount of risk to the patient.
Trinity Anesthesia is sympathetic to all those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients who are anxious about receiving surgery, can rest assured that all of our anesthesiologists maintain the strictest protocols to reduce the risk to patients. Our anesthesiologists are all vaccinated against COVID-19 and we were among the first physicians to...