Cancer and Palliative Therapies

Interventional radiology procedures generally do not receive general anesthesia. Instead, your care team will generally numb the incision area with a local anesthetic to minimize discomfort. Then, an intravenous (IV) line will deliver sedation, which will make you more comfortable and relaxed during your procedure. Some patients fall asleep during the procedure.  

Your sedation level will depend on your specific procedure, age and medical condition:

●      Minimal sedation: You will be drowsy but able to talk. 

●      Moderate sedation: You may fall asleep and be unaware of your surroundings for some of the procedure. 

●      Deep sedation: You will be asleep but will breathe on your own. You will have very little memory of the procedure.

Most procedures require a minimum recovery of four hours in our care (this is called an “outpatient procedure”). For other interventional radiology procedures, you may need to stay one night in the hospital before being discharged. Your care team will inform you of your expected recovery time prior to your procedure. 

You will not be able to drive after your procedure. Be sure to arrange for someone else to accompany you to your procedure and take you home.

The length of time varies by procedure. Most interventional radiology treatments are minimally invasive procedures, which offer several benefits:

●      Shorter procedures than traditional surgery 

●      Less exposure to anesthesia 

●      Smaller incisions 

●      Quicker recovery after the procedures

Most procedures require three healthcare professionals:

●      Interventional Radiologist (MD)

●      Radiology nurse

●      X-Ray technologist

●      On occasion, a medical student and/or resident may be present

●      Bring all medications in their labeled containers with you on the day of your procedure

●      Blood work is required prior to most procedures

●      Please ensure that you have not had anything to eat or drink after midnight the night before your procedure

●      Shower or bathe the evening before or the morning of the procedure

●      Please leave jewelry and other valuables at home; we are not responsible for items that you bring into the hospital

●      Plan on being at the hospital for at least 4 hours

●      Plan on resting for 12 hours post procedure

●      Do not drink alcohol 48 hours before or after your procedure

●      You MUST have a responsible adult to drive you home

●      Do not operate a vehicle or heavy machinery for the remainder of that day after the procedure

You will receive instruction when scheduling the procedure and one to two days before the procedure that explains your medication and food restrictions. Our standard protocol when anticipating sedation is to not to eat or drink for eight hours before the procedure. You may have clear fluids (such as water) up to two hours before. If you eat anything less than eight hours, your procedure may be cancelled.

If you have a contrast allergy, there are medications that can be prescribed for you to take prior to your procedure to help protect you against your allergy. These medications can help block your body’s response to an allergen.

Because interventional radiology procedures are minimally invasive, the pain is much less than with traditional surgery. However, it is possible to experience minimal pain at the insertion site. Our care team will be sure to help manage your pain so that you feel as comfortable as possible.

Our office has a team of schedulers that can assist you in scheduling your procedure. The schedulers can be reached at (646) 962-5757.  

While radiation does have safety concerns, your interventional radiologist will be specially trained in the safe use of radiation and on how to minimize the risks associated. Interventional radiologists use federal guidelines on the recommended safe doses to use during specific treatments.