Our goal is to provide every patient with high-quality oral and maxillofacial surgery care. We wish to make your visit as safe and comfortable as possible.   Dr. Falcone is not only a specialist in treating problems of the mouth, teeth and jaws, but also is experienced in dealing with the control of pain and anxiety. Modern technology makes it easy to perform complicated surgical procedures in the office with little or no discomfort. During his residency and fellowship, Dr. Falcone received extensive training in the medical and dental aspects of anesthesia. He holds a special permit, which is required to administer intravenous medications in the state of Pennsylvania. In addition, his office has been inspected and has state of the art monitoring equipment. Dr. Falcone has the ability to handle emergency situations as well as having specific emergency medications and equipment that is mandatory for safe anesthesia delivery. Dr. Falcone and his staff are trained in CPR as well as Advanced Cardiac Life Support.

In our effort to make your surgical experience as pleasant and stress free as possible
as well as to maintain the highest level of safety, we employ a certified registered
nurse anesthetist to assist Dr. Falcone in the delivery of anesthesia. Linda Rocanelli,
CRNA has over 10 years of anesthesia expertise and has given thousands of IV
sedations and general anesthetics over that time period. She is also employed at
Hazleton-St. Joseph’s Medical Center as a staff nurse anesthetist and maintains the
penultimate standard of care for office outpatient anesthesia.

Anesthesia in our office as an outpatient can take place in many different forms.

1. Local Anesthesia (“Novocaine”) 2. Local Anesthesia with oral sedation (“ Oral Valium Sedation”) 3. Local Anesthesia with Nitrous Oxide (“Laughing Gas”)

4. Local Anesthesia with Intravenous Sedation (“Conscious Sedation”, “Twilight Sleep”)


5. General Anesthesia (Fully Asleep with a breathing tube) can also be performed but is
not usually necessary. If general anesthesia is required for your procedure, it may
be done in a hospital setting as an outpatient or inpatient depending on your personal
circumstances.

One of the things that Dr. Falcone has been taught is the importance of making the
patient aware of what to expect during surgery. This is important to reduce your
level of stress; the more you know, the less you have to be anxious about.
A consultation visit is needed to review your case as well as the type of anesthesia
to be used so that any fear that you have will be minimal.

At your initial consultation visit, Dr. Falcone will discuss your procedure, your
medical and surgical history and your anxiety level. Many times, a patient can
have their procedures performed using local anesthesia to "“numb” the area. Other
times, you may wish to have some type of sedative anesthesia to calm you or to make
you virtually unaware of your surgery. Your choice of anesthesia is a personal one
and should be made only after a thorough and informative consultation with Dr. Falcone.

Also, at your consultation visit you will be given instructions to prepare for your surgery.
These “special instructions” are listed below and are applicable for procedures performed
with oral sedation, nitrous oxide, intravenous sedation and general anesthesia.

1. It is important that you take nothing by mouth (this includes food, water, soda,
coffee, milk, juices, etc.) for a period of eight (8) hours prior to your surgery.

2. Do not drink alcoholic beverages twelve (12) hours prior to your surgery. 3. Please take all of your necessary prescribed medications with a sip of water prior to your surgery unless specifically told not to do so by Dr. Falcone. 4. Wear warm comfortable clothing with loose fitting sleeves. 5. Do not wear jewelry.

6. Remove contact lenses.

7. A responsible adult must accompany you and remain in our office during your surgery.
They must also be able to drive you home. Do not plan to drive an automobile or
operate machinery for twenty-four (24) hours after your surgery. Your escort must
not have small children accompanying them on the day of your surgery; they are to
take care of you only.

8. An adult should remain with the patient for twenty-four (24) hours after surgery
and anesthesia.

9. Please bring any instructions or x-rays from your referring doctor.

10. Please bring your unsigned surgical and anesthesia consent forms with you.

11. You may need to be off from school or work for at least one or two days after oral
surgery and anesthesia.

12. Please follow the written post-operative instructions that are given to you.
Have your prescriptions filled and take them as directed by Dr. Falcone.

13. Patients with acrylic nails please remove at least one nail from your left hand
preferably.

We are always happy to answer any questions that you might have regarding your
surgery and anesthesia.

When you arrive at Dr. Falcone’s office for your surgery and anesthesia, it is similar to having surgery performed in a hospital setting and is user friendly. Our surgery suite and recovery area has all of the same equipment used in the hospital operating room. Prior to your surgery, Dr. Falcone will review your treatment plan. You will be escorted to our surgical suite where you will be draped for surgery. Our nurses and assistants will place a few monitors to measure your blood pressure, pulse, respirations and the amount of expired carbon dioxide, amount of oxygen in your blood as well as your heart rhythm through the use of an electrocardiogram (EKG).

Next, our nurse anesthetist, Ms. Rocanelli or Dr. Falcone will place a catheter
in your vein to establish intravenous access. Most times, medications will be
given through the intravenous line to cause you to relax or even fall asleep.
The next thing you know is that your procedure has been completed. The benefit
of intravenous medications is that there is lessened stress, anxiety and awareness
during your procedure. This is because the medications that we use cause partial
and in most cases total amnesia (forgetfulness). Therefore, you will not feel
pain and have reduced perception to noise and other activities throughout your
surgery. It is important to note that you will still be given a local anesthetic
to “numb” your surgical site after you have been sedated. Therefore, you will
not have pain once your sedative procedure has been completed.

Once your surgical procedure has been completed, you will be brought to our recovery
area. When you are able to drink fluids and walk with your escort you are almost
ready to leave. Our recovery room staff will give you and your escort post-operative
instructions, which should be followed. Dr. Falcone will prescribe medications to
make you comfortable once you leave the office and control your discomfort for the
days following your surgery.

He and his staff are available to answer any questions that you may have regarding
your surgery and recovery 24 hours a day.

Dr. Falcone and his staff truly share your concern for your well being.
They have the knowledge and expertise to make your surgical and anesthetic
experience pleasant, safe and extremely comfortable.