Blog 14 Monday 18th July 2011

Here we are the day before surgery and reading all the 'patient information' given to me at the pre-op assessment. It appears that I have to wear surgical stockings day and night to prevent DVT (Deep vein Thrombosis) as well as 100% cotton scants or suffer the humiliation of wearing paper ones as previously discussed. I have also been told that I will be having an "Epidural" yes ladies ,I know I know, not only have I had a Cesarean (previously) I will also be having an "Epidural" apparently an Epidural is my surgeon Mr Waller's choice of anaesthetic yes yes yes !!!!!normally associated with childbirth , I hear you say ............the following is taken from an information site


Thoracic Epidural Block height and intensity
Typically, the effects of the epidural are noted below a specific level on the body (dermatome). This level (the "block height") is chosen by the anaesthetist. The level is usually 3-4 dermatomes higher than the point of insertion. A very high insertion level may result in sparing of very low dermatomes. For example, a thoracic epidural may be performed for upper abdominal surgery, but may not have any effect on the perineum (area around the genitals) or bladder.^[9] Nonetheless, giving very large volumes into the epidural space may spread the block both higher and lower.
The intensity of the block is determined by the concentration of local anaesthetic drugs used. For example, 15 ml 0.1% bupivacaine may provide good analgesia for a woman in labour, but would likely be insufficient for surgery. Conversely, 15 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine would provide a more intense block, likely sufficient for surgery. Since the volume used in each case is the same, the spread of drug, and hence the block height, is likely to be similar................................so there you have it !


Help .!.......help !!..........HhhhheeeeeeLLLLLLLLLppppppppppppppppppp!!!!!!!!