You have a small catheter (tube) located near your nerve. Local anesthetic, or numbing medicine, will be delivered by an InfuSystem pump through this catheter.

The pump is set on a rate that cannot be adjusted. You may give yourself a bolus dose of numbing medicine through the pump. Nerve blocks are designed to minimize pain after surgery, not eliminate it completely.

How do I know if the pump is working?

The pump delivers the numbing medication very slowly. You will not be able to see the medicine flowing through the tube but the numbers on the front of the screen will continue to go down.

When the pump is operating normally you should see RUN and ResVol on the front of screen. ResVol is how much medication is left. Periodically you will hear a single buzz at the medication is released.

The system will last 2-3 days.

Controlling Your Pain After Surgery

Approximately 12 hours after the nerve block is placed, you may start to have increased pain. This means the initial dose administered prior to your surgery is now wearing off.

To help with the initial dense block transition, you should begin taking your oral pain medication as prescribed by surgeon before this dense block wears off. Our goal is for the pump to work in conjunction with your pain pills to maintain your pain at a tolerable level. Some amount of pain is to be expected. 

Many pain medications contain Acetaminophen (Hydrocodone, Vicodin, Percocet, Lortab, Norco). Do not take any additional Acetaminophen (Tylenol) if you are taking the above medications.

Follow the instructions (see below) about using the DOSE button for an extra dose of numbing medication.

Using the DOSE button

The DOSE button allows you to self-administer additional numbing medication if needed. Once you have pressed the DOSE button, a 4 ml dose will be given over a few minutes.

You will hear a series of multiple buzzes as the pump gives the additional dose of medication.

A lockout period of 30 minutes will begin. You will not be permitted additional bolus doses until the specified lockout period has ended.

If pain has not improved after a few hours, call the anesthesiologist (find appropriate facility number listed below).

Arm nerve block side effects

  • You may not be able to move your fingers or hand until the block wears off. 
  • Temporary facial droop (same side as nerve block) 
  • Pupil size difference (same side as nerve block) 
  • Inability to take a deep breath 
  • Hoarseness 
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Leg nerve block side effects

  • You may have a weak quad or thigh muscle. 
  • You may not be able to move your toes or foot until the block wears off. 
  • Only bear weight if directed by your surgeon. 
  • To prevent falls, only get up with assistance. 
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Caring for the nerve catheter

  • Keep the catheter site dry.
  • Do not get the pump wet or submerge in water.
  • Ensure that pump is close by. Avoid pulling or tugging on the catheter.
  • No showers or running water over site while catheter is in place.
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What to do if the catheter is leaking

  • Some leaking of clear or blood tinged fluid at the dressing site is normal.
  • The surgical glue holding the catheter in place may have become dislodged.
  • Reinforce with tape or gauze to prevent the catheter from falling out. 
  • Place a towel over the site to keep clothes dry.
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Pump alarms

• HiPressure: check for kink in tubing and check to see if white tubing clamp is open.
• Single beep every 5 minutes: check screen, is pump stopped? To start, press and hold Start/Stop button until you see three dashes across screen.
• Low battery: Battery power is low, change batteries.
• Low: pump is almost finished. (30 – 45 minutes left)
• Empty: volume is completed. Press and hold the ON/OFF button until screen goes blank and pump
turns off.

Call the 24/7 nursing hotline 844-724-6123 for any additional pump questions.

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When to call the anesthesiologist

If you develop any of the following symptoms you should turn the pump off and call the anesthesiologist immediately. 

  • Numb lips
  • Metallic taste in mouth
  • Ringing in ears

  • Redness, swelling, severe pain at site
  • Dizziness
  • Shortness of breath
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The end of the infusion

The pump will alarm Low (low volume) when there is about 5ml (30-45 minutes) left in your pump.

Once volume is completed, the pump will alarm Empty. Press the stop button to silence alarm. Once “STOP” is displayed on the screen, press and hold the “ON/OFF” button until the screen goes blank.

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How to remove the nerve catheter

  • Wash hands.
  • Peel off the clear tape and dressing.
  • Gently pull the catheter out from the skin. There may be some surgical glue at insertion site.
  • When the catheter is completely out, there will be a blue or black tip at end of tubing.
  • You may see a small amount of clear fluid once removed. No band aid or gauze is necessary.
  • Disconnect or cut tubing and discard into trash. Place the system pump in provided pre-addressed box and drop off at local post office.
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Troubleshooting

How to reinsert the catheter (thin tube) into the yellow port

  1. Wash your hands. 
  2. Find the yellow port. 
  3. Remove any remaining tape. 
  4. Anchor a finger under the side of the yellow port. 
  5. Snap open the clear top by applying pressure to the yellow end. 
  6. Set aside. 
  7. Clean off the thin nerve catheter tubing. 
  8. Reinsert the thin tubing until you feel resistance. 
  9. Close the clear top. 
  10. Once reconnected, restart the infusion.

Questions? Call the anesthesiologist

Texas Orthopedics Surgery Center
512-748-3627
512-848-0366
Orthopedic Associates of Central Texas
512-375-8017
Hyde Park Surgery Center
512-748-0188
Medical Park Tower Surgery Center
512-748-0188
South Austin Surgery Center
512-375-8017
Williamson Surgery Center
512-486-9306
Anesthesia Billing Questions
Last name beginning with A-G 888-325-6084
Last name beginning with H-Z 888-354-7091
InfuBLOCK 24/7 Patient Hotline
844-724-6123