Utilized for various abdominal, pelvic, and lower extremity surgeries in infants, baby spinals offer pain relief during procedures. This approach allows surgeries to be performed without requiring the baby to be fully under general anesthesia, enhancing their comfort and minimizing the associated risks.

What is a spinal?

A spinal involves injecting medication into your baby's back, inducing numbness from the abdomen to the feet for approximately 90 minutes.

What are the benefits of a spinal injection?

Your baby can have surgery using a spinal injection, circumventing the need for general anesthesia and its associated risks.

What are the risks of a spinal injection?

Potential risks of a spinal injection encompass bleeding, infection, pain, headache, nerve damage, and the possibility of requiring general anesthesia.

What are the risks of general anesthesia?

General anesthesia risks include harm to eyes, lips, teeth, vocal cords, organs, brain, and mortality. Medical advancements mitigate these risks, with anesthesiologists evaluating patients' health to ensure safe administration, reducing adverse events.

Would my baby qualify for a spinal injection?

Spinal injections are suitable for surgeries lasting 90 minutes or less. However, they are not recommended if there is parent refusal, bleeding disorder, injection site infection, spinal abnormality, indeterminate neurologic disease, increased intracranial pressure, or any type of ventricular shunt.

What happens when the spinal wears off?

As the effects of a baby spinal diminish, the medical team may provide extra numbing medication to the incision site or nerve, prolonging pain relief for approximately 4-6 hours post-surgery. Your baby might also receive oral pain medications to enhance comfort during the recovery phase.

What should I expect on the day of surgery?

During your baby's surgery day, anticipate a conversation with the anesthesiologist regarding the spinal injection. Numbing cream will be applied to your baby's back for injection comfort. Your baby may receive an oral medication, inducing a brief nap before the procedure. The injection occurs in the operating room. Following surgery, your baby will move to the recovery room, where you can be present. Your medical team will provide step-by-step guidance, ensuring a seamless experience.