EXPERT
Dr. Bernard Wittels, M.D., PH.D.
Anesthesiologist
Dr. Bernard Wittels is an anesthesiologist practicing in Evanston, IL. Dr. Wittels ensures the safety of patients who are about to undergo surgery. Anestesiologists specialize in general anesthesia, which will (put the patient to sleep), sedation, which will calm the patient or make him or her unaware of the situation, and regional anesthesia, which just numbs a specific part of the body. As an anesthesiologist, Dr. Wittels also might help manage pain after an operation.
38 years
Experience
Dr. Bernard Wittels, M.D., PH.D.
- Evanston, IL
- University Of Chicago Div Of Bio Sci Pritzker School Of Medicine
- Accepting new patients
The Silent Killer
She moves in a stealthy manner, makes no sounds, emits no scent, you insist that you don’t know her and you have no reason to be suspicious of anything. Who is this sly culprit?...
Pain-Free Labor and Delivery
Many pregnant women near their delivery date have preconceived notions about the management of their labor and delivery. Some plan a “natural” delivery, some want only intravenous...
How long does it take to feel normal after anesthesia?
Most people your age can feel normal after routine surgery under general anesthesia within an hour or two after surgery.
Can local anesthesia cause nerve damage?
Using a needle to inject a volume of fluid, if given directly into a nerve can cause nerve damage just by the trauma of the needle and the volume of the injectate, irrespective READ MORE
Using a needle to inject a volume of fluid, if given directly into a nerve can cause nerve damage just by the trauma of the needle and the volume of the injectate, irrespective of whether local anesthetic is present or not. Local anesthetics themselves are not toxic to nerves. Most physicians are careful enough to use small needles, ultrasound guidance, preservative-free local anesthetic, in small volumes around the nerves in a manner that avoids all potential nerve damage.
Can I take painkillers before local anesthetic?
Yes, if you want to do that.
What type of anesthesia is used for ankle surgery?
There are many kinds of ankle surgeries and many kinds of anesthetics given for these procedures, including regional anesthesia (ankle blocks; popliteal, femoral, and sciatic nerve READ MORE
There are many kinds of ankle surgeries and many kinds of anesthetics given for these procedures, including regional anesthesia (ankle blocks; popliteal, femoral, and sciatic nerve blocks; spinal anesthesia; epidural anesthesia; combined spinal-epidural anesthesia) and general anesthesia. The choice depends on your preference, your surgeon's preference, and the preference of your anesthesiologist.
What type of anesthesia is used for root canal surgery?
Your dentist will give you a good nerve block.
What type of anesthesia is used for toenail surgery?
Usually just local anesthesia.
How do you recover from spinal anesthesia?
A spinal anesthetic wears off by itself and the timing depends on the local anesthetic used. The most common local anesthetic used is bupivacaine, which provides surgical numbness READ MORE
A spinal anesthetic wears off by itself and the timing depends on the local anesthetic used. The most common local anesthetic used is bupivacaine, which provides surgical numbness for 90-120 minutes and then recedes over the next 60-120 minutes, depending on the concurrent use of epinephrine with the bupivacaine.
What kind of anesthesia is used for hernia surgery?
Most general surgeons who perform hernia repairs prefer that their patients receive general anesthesia, There are many types and sizes of hernias that may be surgically repaired, READ MORE
Most general surgeons who perform hernia repairs prefer that their patients receive general anesthesia, There are many types and sizes of hernias that may be surgically repaired, and some smaller ones can be done under spinal or epidural anesthesia.
How long are you under anesthesia for gastric sleeve?
An adult undergoing sleeve gastrectomy will receive general anesthesia for the duration of the procedure (usually 2.5 - 3 hours), then awakened after the surgery is completed, READ MORE
An adult undergoing sleeve gastrectomy will receive general anesthesia for the duration of the procedure (usually 2.5 - 3 hours), then awakened after the surgery is completed, as is the case with all general anesthetics.
What type of anesthesia is used for hip surgery?
You may receive either spinal anesthesia or general anesthesia, depending
What type of anesthesia is used for jaw surgery?
Surgery for jaw (mandible) reconstruction requires general anesthesia, and your oral surgeon may request asleep nasal endotracheal intubation.
What type of anesthesia is used for foot surgery?
For most foot surgeries, you can receive moderate-to-deep sedation with local anesthetic administration by your podiatrist. Other, more invasive surgeries may require a popliteal READ MORE
For most foot surgeries, you can receive moderate-to-deep sedation with local anesthetic administration by your podiatrist. Other, more invasive surgeries may require a popliteal nerve block as well, or even general anesthesia for sensitive patients.
Is an ankle block painful?
Ankle blocks are usually not very painful, especially if the local anesthetic is administered slowly.
How long does lidocaine last after surgery?
Lidocaine injected into a wound may provide numbness for a couple of hours afterward, then wears off. As post-surgical pain begins to recur, other (oral or intravenous) analgesics READ MORE
Lidocaine injected into a wound may provide numbness for a couple of hours afterward, then wears off. As post-surgical pain begins to recur, other (oral or intravenous) analgesics may be given.
Are epidural and nerve block the same thing?
There is only one epidural space in your body that is continuous from your brain to the bottom of your spinal cord. That is the space where local anesthetics are given to control READ MORE
There is only one epidural space in your body that is continuous from your brain to the bottom of your spinal cord. That is the space where local anesthetics are given to control the paint of labor and delivery and can be intensified to provide surgical anesthesia for cesarean delivery. There are many other forms of nerve blocks (interscalene, axillary, femoral, sciatic, adductor canal, and others) that can provide surgical anesthesia for limb surgery.
Which is better general anesthesia or spinal anesthesia?
Both general and spinal anesthesia are safe and effective for many surgeries. In some instances, such as a cesarean delivery, spinal anesthesia has been shown to be roughly 17 READ MORE
Both general and spinal anesthesia are safe and effective for many surgeries. In some instances, such as a cesarean delivery, spinal anesthesia has been shown to be roughly 17 times safer than general anesthesia. More lengthy surgeries may require general anesthesia because most spinal anesthetics begin to dissipate after two hours.
