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J O I N T
R E P L A C E M E N T
ery times. "Patients
have been achieving
great advancements in
their extension and
Brian Detwiler, CRA, COT
flexion," he said.
"Some of the physical
therapists feel these
patients are at least 2
PAIN MANAGEMENT Patients leave the surgery center
with blocks that last up to 24 hours and an elastomeric
pain pump that will administer anesthetic through the
femoral catheter for another 48 hours.
weeks ahead of where
they would be if they'd spent several days recovering in a hospital."
Growing list of benefits
The general benefits of a having a surgical procedure performed in an
outpatient setting versus an acute-care setting are well-known, including less risk of nosocomial infection and iatrogenic illness. Mr.
Berkheimer also points out that patients undergoing joint replacement
surgery at Advanced Center for Surgery have a reduced risk of complications associated with general anesthesia. "When you can anesthetize the entire extremity or the region with local anesthetics,
patients are not receiving IV narcotics, and there's less risk of nausea
and vomiting," he says. "In addition, the risks of other complications,
such as decreased respiration and hypoxia, are dramatically reduced."
As the surgeon, Dr. McClellan appreciates having more control over
his patients as they recover. "Once the patient is at home, I'm completely
M A R C H 2013 | O U T PAT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E
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