Name of the Procedure:

Anesthesia for Percutaneous Image-Guided Procedures on the Spine and Spinal Cord (Therapeutic)

Summary

This procedure involves the administration of anesthesia to facilitate minimally invasive, image-guided interventions on the spine and spinal cord. Such procedures can include treatments for pain relief or therapeutic injections.

Purpose

• Medical Condition: This procedure addresses conditions such as chronic back pain, spinal nerve pain, and inflammation.
• Goal: The goal is to allow the patient to undergo therapeutic spine and spinal cord procedures comfortably and safely.

Indications

• Chronic back pain unresponsive to conservative treatments
• Pain due to spinal nerve inflammation or herniated discs
• Patients requiring injections for pain management or anti-inflammatory medication delivery

Preparation

• Fasting: The patient may need to fast for several hours before the procedure.
• Medication Adjustments: Patients might need to adjust or stop certain medications, as advised by healthcare providers.
• Diagnostics: Pre-procedure imaging studies and blood tests may be performed.

Procedure Description

1. Positioning: The patient is positioned appropriately for both comfort and access to the spinal area.
2. Administration of Anesthesia: Depending on the specifics, local or regional anesthesia is administered, sometimes with additional sedation.
3. Imaging Guidance: Using tools such as fluoroscopy or CT scans, the exact location is identified.
4. Therapeutic Intervention: Needles or other instruments are guided into position for treatment (e.g., injection of medication).
5. Monitoring: Vital signs are closely monitored throughout the procedure.

Duration

The procedure typically takes between 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the complexity.

Setting

The procedure is usually performed in a hospital radiology suite, outpatient clinic, or surgical center with imaging capabilities.

Personnel

• Anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist
• Radiologist or interventional spine specialist
• Radiologic technologists and nursing staff

Risks and Complications

• Common: Soreness at the injection site, mild allergic reactions.

• Rare: Infection, bleeding, nerve damage, adverse reactions to anesthesia.

  Benefits

  Patients may experience significant pain relief and improved function, often within a few days to a week.

Recovery

• Post-Procedure Care: Monitoring until anesthesia wears off; vital signs are stable.
• Recovery Time: Most patients can go home the same day with instructions for rest and gradual return to activities.
• Follow-Up: Follow-up appointments to assess outcomes and address any complications.

Alternatives

• Oral or injectable medications
• Physical therapy
• Surgery, for more severe cases
• Pros and Cons: Non-invasive treatments may be less risky but also less effective. Surgical options come with longer recovery times.

Patient Experience

• During Procedure: The patient may feel pressure or slight discomfort but should not feel significant pain.
• Post-Procedure: Mild soreness or bruising at the site, manageable with over-the-counter pain relief and rest.