sedated or even awake in the OR, and some surgeons don't want
patients awake during the procedure.
There's also a perception that turnover time is faster with general
anesthesia, because the induction time is faster, according to Dr.
McCartney. "But even though the induction time is slightly slower
with spinal anesthesia, the time to getting the patient out of the OR is
significantly faster," he explains. "Because the delay happens at the
beginning of the procedure during spinal cases, it's perceived to be
longer than it really is."
Those challenges will be overcome as more patients seek out facili-
ties performing outpatient total joint procedures, and more facilities
adapt to the trend. Surgical administrators will also gain more confi-
dence in implementing regional programs and as the evidence starts
