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Steven L. Dain

Anesthesiologist

Dr. Steven Dain is an anesthesiologist practicing in Woodstock, Ontario. Dr. Dain 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. Dain also might help manage pain after an operation.
Learn More About Me
Steven L. Dain
  • Woodstock, Ontario
  • MD at the University of Toronto
  • Accepting new patients

Can you pass under general anesthesia if you are over 70?

Age is not a consideration.  Your general health is what is important.

Can anesthesia be used in an oxygen chamber?

Very interesting question.  I assume you mean a hyperbaric oxygen chamber.  The easy answer is yes. 

Do you need general anesthesia for wisdom teeth?

Short answer is no. Long answer, it depends on how badly impacted or buried they are. Only your dental surgeon can answer that question, based on your X-rays.


Can I take painkillers before local anesthetic?

You can take painkillers, but you need to take the bottle of the medication with you to the procedure, and tell the nurse, surgeon and anesthesiologist, how many pills and what READ MORE
You can take painkillers, but you need to take the bottle of the medication with you to the procedure, and tell the nurse, surgeon and anesthesiologist, how many pills and what exact time you took them.

What type of anesthesia is used for root canal surgery?

Local anesthetic administered by the dentist doing the root canal. Sometimes they give a little sedative such as lorazepam.

Best regards,

Steven

At what age is too old for general anesthesia?

No age is too old for anesthesia.  What's more important is your underlying health.

My mom's head injury?

I'm sorry to hear this. I would be concerned too. Patients often get admitted to wards where this is an open bed as the proper ward is full, but that sounds like the least of her READ MORE
I'm sorry to hear this. I would be concerned too. Patients often get admitted to wards where this is an open bed as the proper ward is full, but that sounds like the least of her problems.
Find out who the physician is responsible for her care by calling the admissions department and contact the physician directly. Find out the treatment plan. Also find out who the registered "contact person" is, usually a family member that the hospital has on your mom's record. Often, the hospital will only communicate with that person due to privacy laws. My opinion is that often, privacy laws are an obstacle to patient care and family communications. 
Best wishes.

How do you recover from spinal anesthesia?

I'm not sure how to answer this question.  A spinal anesthetic slowly wears off, the speed it wears off at is determined by the drug and the amount used.  If you are having surgery READ MORE
I'm not sure how to answer this question.  A spinal anesthetic slowly wears off, the speed it wears off at is determined by the drug and the amount used.  If you are having surgery that involves moderate to severe post-op pain, it's important to start your pain meds before the spinal wears off.

What type of anesthesia is used for hospice procedures?

This is dependent on the situation and the goals of the hospice procedure.  The medications are chosen by the physician and the dose carefully adjusted to meet the patient's need READ MORE
This is dependent on the situation and the goals of the hospice procedure.  The medications are chosen by the physician and the dose carefully adjusted to meet the patient's need for pain control versus the amount of sedation and amnesia desired and the underlying patient condition.
Medications used include benzodiazepines, opiates, intravenous non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, steroids, antinauseants,  propofol, and dexmedetomidine.

How do you inject a local anesthetic into a wound?

Depending on the location and size of the wound, we can just squirt local anesthetic into the wound or inject the wound with a needle as we normally do. Again, depending on the READ MORE
Depending on the location and size of the wound, we can just squirt local anesthetic into the wound or inject the wound with a needle as we normally do. Again, depending on the location and size, we can do a regional nerve block to block the whole area of the wound.
Best wishes.

Which is better general anesthesia or spinal anesthesia?

It's difficult to answer this question without knowing the reason for the surgery and your general health.  I have asthma and have had 3 operations on my knee, all with spinal READ MORE
It's difficult to answer this question without knowing the reason for the surgery and your general health.  I have asthma and have had 3 operations on my knee, all with spinal anesthesia, so you know my bias. I have given spinals for hundreds of total knee, total hip and C-Sections, I have also given GA for each in fewer numbers.
What's "best" for you depends on what you are having done, your physical and emotional issues, and to a lesser extent your surgeon's preferences.
Best wishes

What is the side effects of regional anesthesia?

A couple of excellent resources. Side effects also depend on the type of regional block used for what location of surgery, epidural, spinal, intrascalene, supraclavicular blocks, READ MORE
A couple of excellent resources. Side effects also depend on the type of regional block used for what location of surgery, epidural, spinal, intrascalene, supraclavicular blocks, ankle, femoral nerve, etc.
Questions About Nerve Blocks | Regional Anesthesia | Stanford Medicine

Regional Anesthesia | Michigan Medicine (uofmhealth.org)

Risks and benefits (asra.com)
Best wishes.

How long does a nerve block last after wrist surgery?

Depending on the block used and the local anesthetic drug used anywhere from 1.5 to 6 hours

Best wishes

Can shoulder arthroscopy be done under local anesthesia?

Some types of shoulder surgery can be done under an intrascalene block.  Interscalene Block: Overview, Risks, and How It’s Performed Interscalene block is an anesthetic technique READ MORE
Some types of shoulder surgery can be done under an intrascalene block. 

Interscalene Block: Overview, Risks, and How It’s Performed

Interscalene block is an anesthetic technique used to numb the shoulder and arm before surgery. Learn about its ...

What type of anesthesia is used for hip surgery?

Spinal with light or deep sedation, or general anesthesia, depending on the type of surgery, expected duration, and patient condition and consent.

How long does nerve block last after shoulder surgery?

This depends on the type, dose and concentration of the local anesthetic used and whether a continuous catheter was placed for top up after surgery has ended.  Anywhere from 1-12 READ MORE
This depends on the type, dose and concentration of the local anesthetic used and whether a continuous catheter was placed for top up after surgery has ended.  Anywhere from 1-12 hours postop for pain block.

Steven Dain

What kind of anesthesia is used for cystoscopy?

Often none.  Sometimes mild sedation, sometimes general anesthesia.  Depends mostly on why it is being done.

What are the effects of too much anesthesia?

I suppose the easiest way to explain this is that the effects are very similar to drinking too much alcohol.  Effects of Anesthesia on Brain & Body - Made for This Moment (asahq.org) Effects READ MORE
I suppose the easiest way to explain this is that the effects are very similar to drinking too much alcohol. 
Effects of Anesthesia on Brain & Body - Made for This Moment (asahq.org)

Effects of Anesthesia on Brain & Body - Made for This Moment

Side effects of anesthesia can occur during or after surgery. Find out how anesthesia can influence your memory ...

Can anesthesia stay in your system for months?

All modern anesthesia drugs are effectively out of your system within 24 hours. Certain medications can be detected in the blood at trace amounts up to a week without any detectable READ MORE
All modern anesthesia drugs are effectively out of your system within 24 hours. Certain medications can be detected in the blood at trace amounts up to a week without any detectable physical effects.

What is topical anesthetic gel used for?

https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-10414-252/lidocaine-hcl-mucous-membrane/lidocaine-jelly-mucous-membrane/details

Best regards,