A pioneering technique developed at Shaare Zedek Medical Center is transforming recovery from breast surgery. Instead of traditional general anaesthesia, which can cause nausea, fatigue and prolonged recovery, this innovative approach uses targeted nerve blocks and light sedation, allowing patients to be up and walking within hours.
The method, created through close collaboration between Dr. Yaheli Miller, Director of the Breast Surgery Unit at Shaare Zedek, and Dr. Ariel Grass, Anaesthesiologist at Shaare Zedek and Director of the Regional Anaesthesia Service, allows women to undergo breast surgery while remaining in a calm, sedated state, but without the risks and side effects of general anaesthesia.
Because pain signals are effectively blocked, patients often require no opioids such as morphine, avoiding side effects like drowsiness and nausea. Recovery is rapid, and many patients return home the same day.
“Our goal was to make breast surgery safer, gentler and more comfortable,” said Dr. Yaheli Miller. “Patients can now wake up alert, free of pain, and return to normal activity the same day. Surgery without general anaesthesia won’t be suitable for every case, but for many women, it offers a remarkable improvement in recovery.”
Dr. Ariel Grass added: “Because the patient breathes independently and drugs are carefully titrated there’s no nausea, sore throat, dry lips or grogginess and in most cases, no need for opioids afterwards. This means a faster recovery, fewer complications, and a far more positive experience overall.”
Patient Orna Slok, who underwent a mastectomy using the new method, describes the experience:
“I went into surgery in the morning, and three hours later I was on my feet. No nausea, no grogginess – I felt completely myself.”
For the Shaare Zedek team, success lies in both professionalism and compassion. “When a patient wakes up without pain, that’s our greatest achievement,” says Dr. Miller.