EXPERT
Dr. Jerry L. Epps, M.D.
Anesthesiologist
Dr. Jerry Epps is an anesthesiologist practicing in Knoxville, TN. Dr. Epps 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. Epps also might help manage pain after an operation.
44 years
Experience
Dr. Jerry L. Epps, M.D.
- Knoxville, TN
- Univ of Ky Coll of Med, Lexington Ky
- Accepting new patients
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What type of injection is local anesthesia?
A drug such as lidocaine or bupivacaine is injected via needle into the area of the surgical incision.
What is used for local anesthesia?
A drug which causes the area where it is injected to go "numb" is used in local anesthesia. While there are many different local anesthetics, lidocaine is the most commonly used READ MORE
A drug which causes the area where it is injected to go "numb" is used in local anesthesia. While there are many different local anesthetics, lidocaine is the most commonly used local anesthetic in surgery.
Can you feel pain under local anesthesia?
Yes; if the local infiltration is inadequate. Most operative outpatient procedures will add intravenous sedation in addition to the local anesthetic injection of the operative READ MORE
Yes; if the local infiltration is inadequate. Most operative outpatient procedures will add intravenous sedation in addition to the local anesthetic injection of the operative site.
What type of anesthesia is used for prostate surgery?
The answer depends upon what procedure is planned. For a prostate biopsy, local anesthesia is used. For resection of the prostate due to hypertrophy, a regional aesthetic such READ MORE
The answer depends upon what procedure is planned. For a prostate biopsy, local anesthesia is used. For resection of the prostate due to hypertrophy, a regional aesthetic such as a spinal is usually preferred but general anesthesia may be used. For prostate cancer procedures, general anesthesia is usually the preferred technique.
How is hypotension treated after spinal anesthesia?
Yes, hypotension is a normal physiologic response to the effects of spinal anesthesia. Treatment includes the administrative of fluids and medications, which offset the effects READ MORE
Yes, hypotension is a normal physiologic response to the effects of spinal anesthesia. Treatment includes the administrative of fluids and medications, which offset the effects of spinal anesthesia, namely dilated blood vessels and occasionally a slowing of the heart rate. These medications cause the blood vessels to constrict and the heart to beat faster and stronger.
What anesthetics are used in open heart surgery?
The same ones that are used in general anesthesia for other more routine operation procedures. Namely, inhaled anesthetic agents, intravenous induction agents such as propofol READ MORE
The same ones that are used in general anesthesia for other more routine operation procedures. Namely, inhaled anesthetic agents, intravenous induction agents such as propofol and narcotics.
What type of anesthesia is used for kidney stone surgery?
General anesthesia is most commonly used.
Can you have hernia surgery without anesthesia?
No; some hernias can be repaired under local anesthesia, but the vast majority will require general or regional anesthesia (spinal or epidural block). Since most hernias are now READ MORE
No; some hernias can be repaired under local anesthesia, but the vast majority will require general or regional anesthesia (spinal or epidural block). Since most hernias are now repaired by a laparoscopic technique, general anesthesia is most commonly used.
Do you get general anesthesia for appendectomy?
General anesthesia is used for almost all appendectomies.
What should you not do after anesthesia?
You should not drive, operate heavy equipment, or make significant life decisions for 24 hours after anesthesia.
Is general anesthesia bad for your brain?
No; not in your age group. Postoperative cognitive decline can occur in the elderly regardless of type of anesthesia (general or regional).
Is it common to wake up during a colonoscopy?
General anesthesia is not routinely used for colonoscopy. Instead, deep sedation with propofol alone or a combination of a benzodiazepine (Valium or Versed) and a narcotic (Fentanyl) READ MORE
General anesthesia is not routinely used for colonoscopy. Instead, deep sedation with propofol alone or a combination of a benzodiazepine (Valium or Versed) and a narcotic (Fentanyl) are used. For most gastroenterologists and anesthesiologists, propofol is the preferred technique but requires the presence of an anesthesia provider in most states. Since the goal is sedation, then it is possible for a patient to awaken and have recall of some events. The vast majority of patients do not have any recall.
Is topical anesthetic effective?
Topical anesthesia has limited applications. For example, topical anesthesia is effective for certain procedures such as cataract surgery or to decrease the pain from intravenous READ MORE
Topical anesthesia has limited applications. For example, topical anesthesia is effective for certain procedures such as cataract surgery or to decrease the pain from intravenous catheter insertion. For most surgical procedures, topical anesthesia is ineffective.
What type of sedation is used for an MRI?
The vast majority patients do not receive any sedation. A small percentage of patients will receive an oral sedative such as Valium or Ativan. An even smaller percentage will READ MORE
The vast majority patients do not receive any sedation. A small percentage of patients will receive an oral sedative such as Valium or Ativan. An even smaller percentage will require general anesthesia.
Can you be put to sleep for wisdom teeth removal while pregnant?
All elective surgical procedures should be avoided during pregnancy, especially during the first trimester.
How long does it take to fall asleep with anesthesia?
30-60 seconds after the intravenous induction agent is given.
How do you anesthetize a finger?
A finger may be anesthetized by the performance of a digital block. Local anesthetic is injected on both sides of the finger blocking the digital nerves of the affected finger. READ MORE
A finger may be anesthetized by the performance of a digital block. Local anesthetic is injected on both sides of the finger blocking the digital nerves of the affected finger.
Are opioids used for anesthesia?
Yes, opioids are commonly used in both regional and general anesthesia. There is a growing trend toward opioid-free anesthesia using regional for pain control after general anesthesia. READ MORE
Yes, opioids are commonly used in both regional and general anesthesia. There is a growing trend toward opioid-free anesthesia using regional for pain control after general anesthesia.
Are there narcotics in anesthesia?
Yes. Narcotic pain relievers are commonly used as adjuncts in both general and regional anesthesia.
What happens if you're allergic to anesthesia?
Allergic reactions to some of the drugs used in general anesthesia are possible, but rare. Muscle relaxants and antibiotics are the most common causes. Allergic reactions to local READ MORE
Allergic reactions to some of the drugs used in general anesthesia are possible, but rare. Muscle relaxants and antibiotics are the most common causes. Allergic reactions to local anesthetics are usually caused by ester-type drugs, which are used much less frequently than the snide-type.
