Saddle Block And Caudal Anesthesia

GENERAL INFORMATION:

What is Anesthesia? Anesthesia (an-iss-thee-zuh) is medicine to make you comfortable during surgery or a procedure. There are many types of anesthesia. It may be given in your IV, through a face mask, or through a tube in your nose or throat. It can also be given as a shot in your back or as a shot in the area where you will have surgery. The type of anesthesia you have depends on the type of surgery or procedure you are having. You and your caregiver have decided that saddle block or caudal anesthesia is best for you.

What is Saddle block or Caudal Anesthesia? With saddle block or caudal anesthesia you will be numb from about the rear end down during surgery. Saddle block or caudal anesthesia can be used for surgeries or procedures of the rear end such as having hemorrhoids fixed. Getting an episiotomy while having a baby can also be done with saddle block or caudal anesthesia. Tell your anesthesia caregiver if you or anyone in your family has ever had any problems with anesthesia. Remember to tell your anesthesia caregiver if you have ever had a very high temperature during or after surgery.

Care: Before the surgery or procedure, you may be given medicine in your IV to make you feel sleepy and more relaxed. Caregivers will help you get comfortable on the operating room bed. Anesthesia caregivers use machines to see how your body is doing.

• Pulse oximeter: A pulse oximeter is a machine that tells how much oxygen is in your blood. A cord with a clip or sticky strip is placed on your ear, finger, or toe. The other end of the cord is hooked to a machine. Caregivers use this machine to see if you need more oxygen.
  
  
• Vital signs: This includes taking your temperature, blood pressure, pulse (counting your heartbeat), and respirations (counting your breaths). To take your blood pressure, a cuff is put on your arm and tightened. The cuff is attached to a machine which gives your blood pressure reading. Caregivers may listen to your heart and lungs by using a stethoscope. Your vital signs are taken so caregivers can see how you are doing.

• Getting saddle block or caudal anesthesia:
  
  
  • Caregivers help you lie on your stomach or on your back with your legs in stirrups (holders). Your rear end is cleaned with soap and water. Sheets are put over your back to keep the area clean.
    
    
  • You may be given a shot of medicine to numb the skin on your rear end. A needle is put between your tailbones. You will have to lie very still. Tell your anesthesia caregiver if you feel a tingling shock or pain in one leg but try not to move. When your caregiver has the needle in the right place, medicine is put through the needle. You are awake during surgery but may be given medicine in your IV so that your are sleepy. Your bottom is numb and you may not be able to move your legs when the medicine starts to work. You can move your legs in 1 to 2 hours when the medicine wears off.
  
  
• After getting the anesthesia: After the anesthesia is in, caregivers will help you to lie down flat. Caregivers will not start surgery until you are numb. After surgery, you are taken to a room where you can rest until the numbness goes away. You may then be allowed to go home. If you are staying in the hospital you are taken back to your room. When it is time for you to go home, someone needs to drive you home. Do not drive home alone. An adult should stay with you for at least 24 hours after surgery if you had medicine to make you sleepy.

Informed Consent: You have the right to understand your health condition in words that you know. You should be told what tests, treatments, or procedures may be done to treat your condition. Your doctor should also tell you about the risks and benefits of each treatment. You may be asked to sign a consent form that gives caregivers permission to do certain tests, treatments, or procedures. If you are unable to give your consent, someone who has permission can sign this form for you. A consent form is a legal piece of paper that tells exactly what will be done to you. This consent also gives permission for anesthesia. Before giving your consent, make sure all your questions have been answered so that you understand what may happen.

Risks: The following are risks that may happen with anesthesia. Caregivers will watch you closely and treat any problems. Some surgeries cannot be done at all if you choose not to have anesthesia. Call your caregiver if you are worried or have questions about your care.

• You could have a bad reaction to the medicine.
  
  
• You could feel nauseated (sick to your stomach) during or after surgery.
  
  
• It may take awhile for the medicine to wear off before you can feel and move normally.
  
  
• You could have a seizure or heart attack.
  
  
• You could have long-lasting numbness, pain, or loss of function of boday parts.
  
  
• Your thinking may be unclear. Do not make important decisions for 24 hours after having saddle block or caudal anesthesia.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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