expert type icon EXPERT

Dr. Steven McCornack

Anesthesiologist

Dr. Steven McCornack is an anesthesiologist practicing in Centerville, Ohio. Dr. McCornack 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. McCornack also might help manage pain after an operation.
Dr. Steven McCornack
  • Centerville, Ohio
  • University of Health Sciences
  • Accepting new patients

What type of anesthesia is used for C-section?

Typically, patients undergoing a cesarean section will have a spinal anesthetic. Other choices include an epidural anesthetic or a general anesthetic. Discuss your preferences, READ MORE
Typically, patients undergoing a cesarean section will have a spinal anesthetic. Other choices include an epidural anesthetic or a general anesthetic. Discuss your preferences, if any, with your obstetrician and anesthesia care team.

How should I sleep after spinal anesthesia?

Most patients are not discharged before the spinal anesthetic has completely worn off. Your anesthetic team and surgeon should give you instructions on activity after a spinal READ MORE
Most patients are not discharged before the spinal anesthetic has completely worn off. Your anesthetic team and surgeon should give you instructions on activity after a spinal anesthetic. There are not usually any restrictions on activity beyond those which they might give you. It could also be a function of the type of surgery, the location of the surgery, the length of the surgery, and the specifics of the spinal anesthesia

Do you get sedation for hernia surgery?

Depending on the size and location of the hernia, there are multiple approaches to anesthesia. It may be possible for different types of anesthesia to be appropriate for a particular READ MORE
Depending on the size and location of the hernia, there are multiple
approaches to anesthesia. It may be possible for different types of
anesthesia to be appropriate for a particular procedure. When speaking with
your surgeon and anesthesia team, if you have a preference, please let them
know. You might have sedation or a general anesthetic

Can anesthesia cause insomnia?

Any illness or procedure may cause insomnia from disruption of your routine, pain, or stress. In general, anesthesia is not considered a cause of insomnia, but if more obvious READ MORE
Any illness or procedure may cause insomnia from disruption of your routine, pain, or stress. In general, anesthesia is not considered a cause of insomnia, but if more obvious sources are ruled out, it may be possible

What are the side effects of regional anesthesia?

The answer depends on the type of regional anesthesia and the procedure involved. In general, most regional anesthesia is well tolerated and wears off in a couple of hours to a READ MORE
The answer depends on the type of regional anesthesia and the procedure involved. In general, most regional anesthesia is well tolerated and wears off in a couple of hours to a couple of days, depending on the technique. Complications and side effects are rare and minimal. If you have any questions about your options, discuss it with your surgeon and anesthesia team.
Good luck!

Can spinal anesthesia give you a headache?

A post-dural puncture or "spinal" headache can occur 1%-5% of the time after spinal anesthesia. Normally, it occurs very soon or immediately after the procedure. A true spinal READ MORE
A post-dural puncture or "spinal" headache can occur 1%-5% of the time after spinal anesthesia. Normally, it occurs very soon or immediately after the procedure. A true spinal headache is postural, meaning that it is much worse when sitting or standing and much better or disappears when lying down. Recently, there has been some concern about more persistent headaches following spinal anesthesia. Not enough is known about these headaches at this time to form any definitive conclusions about their origins or prognosis. If you have persistent headaches after any anesthetic, you should consult your anesthesia team and follow up with your doctor.

How long does it take to feel normal after anesthesia?

Without knowing the specifics of your anesthesia or procedure, there are several factors which go into this equation. One is the type of procedure, minor versus major surgery, READ MORE
Without knowing the specifics of your anesthesia or procedure, there are several factors which go into this equation. One is the type of procedure, minor versus major surgery, and the location. If you are on medication like pain medicine after surgery, that may also affect your feeling "normal." Some medications used in surgery may persist in your system for 48 hours or more. Most anesthetic drugs are short acting and are chosen for this reason. Generally speaking, we recommend not driving or operating heavy machinery for at least 24 hours after a general anesthetic due to lingering effects of medication. Also, the feelings may be related to surgical issues and not the anesthetic.

How long does it take for spinal anesthesia to wear off?

Spinal anesthesia may last anywhere from 30 minutes to 150 minutes depending on the choice of local anesthetic and the dose used. Sometimes adjuvant medications may be added to READ MORE
Spinal anesthesia may last anywhere from 30 minutes to 150 minutes depending on the choice of local anesthetic and the dose used. Sometimes adjuvant medications may be added to affect the quality and duration. Individual patients may metabolize the local anesthetic at different rates leading to shorter or longer analgesic times. Good luck!

Where is regional anesthesia injected?

It depends on the area being anesthetized. Most often, regional anesthesia consists of spinal blocks, epidurals, and nerve blocks. For short hand cases, an intravenous regional READ MORE
It depends on the area being anesthetized. Most often, regional anesthesia consists of spinal blocks, epidurals, and nerve blocks. For short hand cases, an intravenous regional or Bier block may be considered. If you have questions or concerns about the anesthetic technique, discuss it with your surgeon and anesthesia team.
Good luck!

Do you lose hair after anesthesia?

There is no obvious correlation between anesthesia and hair loss. Most often hair loss may be a function of chemotherapy or disease. You should proceed with confidence if you are READ MORE
There is no obvious correlation between anesthesia and hair loss. Most often hair loss may be a function of chemotherapy or disease. You should proceed with confidence if you are having a procedure. Good luck!

Do you breathe on your own under general anesthesia?

General anesthesia may be given with maintenance of spontaneous respiration or may be given with mechanical ventilation. This is usually accomplished by giving neuromuscular blocking READ MORE
General anesthesia may be given with maintenance of spontaneous respiration or may be given with mechanical ventilation. This is usually accomplished by giving neuromuscular blocking agents and controlling the patients ventilation with the anesthesia machine. General anesthesia with spontaneous ventilation often involves using a laryngeal mask airway or a supraglottic airway to facilitate respiration. If you have concerns about the anesthetic technique, be sure to ask your surgical and anesthesia teams about it prior to your anesthesia. Good luck!

Is anesthesia hard on the heart?

Anesthesia is considered very safe for all patients, even those with heart problems. If you have concerns about a specific condition, ask to consult with the anesthesia team prior READ MORE
Anesthesia is considered very safe for all patients, even those with heart problems. If you have concerns about a specific condition, ask to consult with the anesthesia team prior to surgery.
Good luck!

Can you have general anesthesia with an irregular heartbeat?

Of course, it would depend on the type of irregular heartbeat. In general, an irregular heartbeat would be a relative contraindication to general anesthesia. Having said that, READ MORE
Of course, it would depend on the type of irregular heartbeat. In general, an irregular heartbeat would be a relative contraindication to general anesthesia. Having said that, many patients with and irregular heartbeat safely undergo general anesthesia every day. Ask your surgeon and anesthesia team about it. They should have a Risk, Benefit, and Alternatives discussion with full disclosure before you have surgery.
Good luck!

Can general anesthesia go wrong?

The monitoring systems used in general anesthesia are very sophisticated. We can and do watch your vital signs from moment to moment and have continuous readouts on the monitor READ MORE
The monitoring systems used in general anesthesia are very sophisticated. We can and do watch your vital signs from moment to moment and have continuous readouts on the monitor of your cardiac and respiratory activity. It is estimated that out of 24 million anesthetics each year in the United States (half of which may be general anesthetics), only a handful have Intra operative deaths attributable to anesthesia. The surgery is most often the most dangerous part. Of course, that means that there is some risk, however small. It isn’t zero, but as I like to tell patients “by far the most dangerous thing you did today is driving here for your procedure”. There are some rare familial conditions (malignant hyperthermia or enzyme deficiencies) which increase risk, but most often patients are aware of these issues if they occur within their families. Good luck!

What type of anesthesia is used for vitrectomy?

Normally, vitrectomy is done with either a local anesthetic nerve block of the eye and surrounding muscles or a general anesthetic. Your surgeon and anesthesia team should discuss READ MORE
Normally, vitrectomy is done with either a local anesthetic nerve block of the eye and surrounding muscles or a general anesthetic. Your surgeon and anesthesia team should discuss your concerns when they formulate the anesthesia plan and obtain your consent. Good luck!

What are the disadvantages of dental anesthesia?

Normally in medicine we talk about risks, benefits, and alternatives in considering treatment plans. The obvious question is whether dental work can be adequately done with or READ MORE
Normally in medicine we talk about risks, benefits, and alternatives in considering treatment plans. The obvious question is whether dental work can be adequately done with or without anesthesia. Local anesthetics are quite safe in usual doses in experienced hands. Dentists are well trained in using local anesthetics. If you are given sedation, you may be asked to not drive or operate heavy machinery for a prolonged period of time (usually 24 hours). Your judgment and decision making may be impaired until whatever sedative medication you received has been metabolized

What is the difference between epidural and general anesthesia?

Generally speaking, patients have the final say over choice of anesthetic. If both epidural and general anesthesia are appropriate choices, we must be talking about a lower abdominal READ MORE
Generally speaking, patients have the final say over choice of anesthetic. If both epidural and general anesthesia are appropriate choices, we must be talking about a lower abdominal or lower limb procedure. With an epidural you may be completely pain free but many patients do not want to be awake. You may be offered an infusion of sedative medication so that you are both pain free and asleep. This blurs the line between a regional anesthetic (epidural) and a general anesthetic. Not being familiar with you or your upcoming procedure, I can’t give any specific advice. Discuss your preferences and concerns with your anesthesia team

Do you need general anesthesia for wisdom teeth?

You have many anesthetic options for wisdom tooth extraction. Some are done with just local anesthetic injections. Some are done with intravenous sedation. Most are done without READ MORE
You have many anesthetic options for wisdom tooth extraction. Some are done with just local anesthetic injections. Some are done with intravenous sedation. Most are done without general anesthesia. Sometimes the anticipated difficulty of the extractions may influence the decision. Sometimes the oral surgeon may have a strong preference. Of course, as the patient, you will be involved in the decision. If you have special concerns or needs, let your care team know. Good luck!

Can I take painkillers before local anesthetic?

Check with your surgeon and care team. They may want you to have an empty stomach, but often times non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs and/or acetaminophen are frequently given READ MORE
Check with your surgeon and care team. They may want you to have an empty stomach, but often times non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs and/or acetaminophen are frequently given in conjunction with local anesthetic cases. You would not want to take anything without alerting your care team and clearing it first. Good luck!

What type of anesthesia is used for foot surgery?

There are plenty of options for foot surgery. Often it is done with sedation and local anesthetic in the surgical area. A nerve block could be used. Even general anesthesia and READ MORE
There are plenty of options for foot surgery. Often it is done with sedation and local anesthetic in the surgical area. A nerve block could be used. Even general anesthesia and spinal anesthesia are possibilities. You should speak with your surgeon and anesthesia provider to determine which method will be best for you. The location and type of surgery also figures into your choices. Good luck!