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DIAGNOSIS: Left sciatica.

ANESTHESIA: Intravenous sedation

NAME OF OPERATION:
1. Left L5-S1 transforaminal epidural steroid block with fluoroscopy.
2. Left L4-5 transforaminal epidural steroid block with fluoroscopy.
3. Monitored intravenous Versed sedation.

PROCEDURE: The patient was taken to the block room. He was placed prone on the fluoroscopy table. He was monitored appropriately. He was administered Versed 2 mg IV. His O2 saturation remained greater than 90%. His back was prepped and draped. The C-arm was brought in. The endplates at L5-S1 were squared off. The C-arm was rotated to the left. The L5 pedicle, the superior articular process of the L5-S1 facet, and the "neck of the scotty dog" were all visualized. After adequate local anesthesia, a 22-gauge, 3-1/2-inch spinal needle was inserted using down-the-barrel-of-the-needle technique. The needle was advanced into the posterior aspect of the foramen and then advanced anteriorly toward the 6 o'clock position on the pedicle. No paresthesias were noted. One-half cc of contrast was injected and spread medially around the pedicle and into the epidural space, and the L5 nerve root was visualized. Depo-Medrol 80 mg plus 1 cc of 4% preservative-free lidocaine was injected. The needle was flushed and removed.

I then went up to the L4-5 level, and using a similar technique, injected the patient transforaminally at the L4-5 level. Depo-Medrol 80 mg plus 1 cc of 4% preservative-free lidocaine was injected at the L4-5 level just as at the L5-S1 level. The patient had pain down his left leg during the injection, primarily at the L5-S1 level similar to what he normally experiences. He was awake and alert, and taken to the recovery room in good condition. His left leg pain was relieved.

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