A new innovation in healthcare has made it possible for patients undergoing hand surgery to remain alert during their procedures, according to the Observer-Reporter.
Here are five things to know:
1. Orthopedic surgeon Gerson Florez, MD, who has performed a handful of sedation-free surgeries at Monongahela (Pa.) Valley Hospital, predicts this type of procedure, which is common in Canada, will soon be standard practice in the United States. He also recommends this procedure for older people in particular.
2. According to a National Library of Medicine journal, more than 95 percent of all hand surgeries can now be performed without a tourniquet and sedation.
3. With sedation-free surgery, there is no pre-operative testing, and patients can eat beforehand, take their medications and drive themselves to the procedure.
4. Patients with diabetes can also benefit from the procedure, because they don't have to worry about blood-sugar fluctuations due to skipping a meal.
5. Dr. Florez earned his medical degree from Georgetown University School of Medicine in Washington, D.C., and completed his residency at the Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia. He also completed his fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.