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I called and made an appointment today for my father to visit his Pain doc for his second round of epidurals. Set the appointment and asked if he should be NPO prior to procedure and was told, "No, Dr. X doesn't require it." My friend, the assistant continues, "Dr. Y requires it, but not Dr. X."
Ok, well I've shadowed both Drs. Y and X. Both GREAT guys!
Dr. X, who does NOT require NPO for a Lumbar Epidural is a PM&R physician.
Amazingly skilled Navy guy who did a fellowship in Spinal Injections...
Dr. Y, is an Anesthesiologist, requires NPO prior to his Lumbar Epidurals.
He's a Pain Fellowed anesthesia MD ( I think he studied in NY with Hadzic) who is doing pain patients 4X a week, OR 1X a week.
I've seen both give epidurals ad infinitum. pretty similar techniques, Dr. Y likes to bend the end of his Touhy (sp?) for guidance before he checks and checks for placement.
So, my questions:
a) does this difference in NPO requirement surprise anyone?
b) if so, why?
c) what is the board answer to this situation? (NPO or not, for elective lumbar Epidural)
d) why does everyone think PM&R doc does NOT require NPO, whereas regional Anesthesia dude does?
e) what is Dr. Y thinking here? if I need to intubate for whatever reason, i'd rather not have a full stomach? than, WHY doesn't Dr. X feel this way as well?
Discussion time...
D712
Ok, well I've shadowed both Drs. Y and X. Both GREAT guys!
Dr. X, who does NOT require NPO for a Lumbar Epidural is a PM&R physician.
Amazingly skilled Navy guy who did a fellowship in Spinal Injections...
Dr. Y, is an Anesthesiologist, requires NPO prior to his Lumbar Epidurals.
He's a Pain Fellowed anesthesia MD ( I think he studied in NY with Hadzic) who is doing pain patients 4X a week, OR 1X a week.
I've seen both give epidurals ad infinitum. pretty similar techniques, Dr. Y likes to bend the end of his Touhy (sp?) for guidance before he checks and checks for placement.
So, my questions:
a) does this difference in NPO requirement surprise anyone?
b) if so, why?
c) what is the board answer to this situation? (NPO or not, for elective lumbar Epidural)
d) why does everyone think PM&R doc does NOT require NPO, whereas regional Anesthesia dude does?
e) what is Dr. Y thinking here? if I need to intubate for whatever reason, i'd rather not have a full stomach? than, WHY doesn't Dr. X feel this way as well?
Discussion time...
D712