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Choose the experts in awake spine surgery at Mayo Clinic in Florida
What is awake spine surgery?
Awake spine surgery is a spinal procedure that allows patients to avoid general anesthesia. By using spinal anesthesia (focused on numbing the spinal cord instead of putting the patient fully asleep) patients can take advantage of:
- Less pain after surgery. Patients report lower pain scores in the first 3 hours after surgery.
- Faster recovery. Patients are walking on average 7.8 hours earlier.
- Shorter operating times. The procedure reduces time in the operating room by 27%.
- Shorter hospital stays.
- Better quality of life after surgery.
Overall, patients who have awake spine surgery are able to have shorter hospital stays, with less pain, and get back home quicker than patients who use general anesthesia. Additionally, patients undergoing awake spine surgery may avoid side effects from general anesthesia, such as memory loss, nausea, transient loss of sensory and motor functions, and, for older individuals, cognition issues.
A team of caring experts
At Mayo Clinic in Florida, you will have a caring team of multidisciplinary specialists who are experienced in awake spine surgery. Our experts routinely use spinal anesthesia when performing minimally invasive spinal surgeries and work closely with the anesthesia team to prepare for each procedure.
To ensure your comfort, during all awake spinal surgeries, our patients:
- Wear noise-canceling headphones and listen to music of their choice.
- Can communicate with the surgery team at any time.
- Are communicated with frequently by the surgery team to make sure they are comfortable and doing well.
- Your care team will make sure you understand how the procedure works and will answer any questions you have before surgery.
Is awake spine surgery right for you?
Our experts can determine if awake spine surgery is the right choice for you. Call today to schedule an appointment with one of our experts for a consultation. Our team will work with you to create a care plan that is the best fit for you.
Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, ranks among the Best Hospitals for neurology and neurosurgery in the U.S. News & World Report “Best Hospitals” rankings.
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