The first patient we saw for the day was an infant patient with a hemangioma, which according to Mayo Clinic "is a birthmark that most commonly appears as a rubbery, bright red nodule of extra blood vessels in the skin." As routine for her anesthesia evaluation, Naudia asked the patient's parents about the patient's past medical history and then recorded that information in her chart. Naudia also explains to the patient and the patient's family the basic anesthetic steps that will be taken to put the patient asleep for surgery. She describes that once she is taken back, a mask will fit over her mouth and nose and gas will be administered that will make the patient drift off to sleep. Additionally, the gas comes in different flavors such as cherry and strawberry, and Naudia typically asks her patients which flavor they would like to smell while going to sleep. After the patient has fallen asleep from the gas, the IV will be started, but since the patient is already asleep, he or she will not feel the stick of the needle. Since most of the patients are going under general anesthesia, a tube will need to be inserted in order to maintain the airway; however, for patients that are getting dental procedures, the tube is inserted through the nose since the doctor will working in the patient's mouth. This tube will be inserted and also removed while the patient is asleep, so the patient will not feel or remember anything besides drifting off to sleep and waking up after the surgery is completed.
We also saw a patient in Same-Day surgery with a neurogenic bladder and neurogenic bowel, meaning the patient lacks control of the bladder and bowel. Typically, neurogenic bladder is associated with spina bifida (birth defect that affects the development of the baby’s spinal cord, spine, and developing brain), in which myelomeningocele is the most common and severe form. After talking to the patient's mom and learning that the patient has had no history of spinal issues, Naudia and I began researching and digging into what could have caused her neurogenic bladder. After investigation, we discovered that the neurogenic bladder was a result of a urachal remnant perforation experienced at birth. Moreover, Naudia explains to me that a large portion of the job includes searching through history and records in order to put various puzzle pieces together to solve specific mysteries. To conclude, this patient was receiving a Malone Antegrade Continence Enema (MACE) procedure, which helps patients with neuogenic bowel attain fecal continence.
We also saw a patient in Same-Day surgery with a neurogenic bladder and neurogenic bowel, meaning the patient lacks control of the bladder and bowel. Typically, neurogenic bladder is associated with spina bifida (birth defect that affects the development of the baby’s spinal cord, spine, and developing brain), in which myelomeningocele is the most common and severe form. After talking to the patient's mom and learning that the patient has had no history of spinal issues, Naudia and I began researching and digging into what could have caused her neurogenic bladder. After investigation, we discovered that the neurogenic bladder was a result of a urachal remnant perforation experienced at birth. Moreover, Naudia explains to me that a large portion of the job includes searching through history and records in order to put various puzzle pieces together to solve specific mysteries. To conclude, this patient was receiving a Malone Antegrade Continence Enema (MACE) procedure, which helps patients with neuogenic bowel attain fecal continence.