ANESTHESIA

PROCEDURE
Anesthesia is known everyday as an anesthetic. The drug or anesthetic agent will remove
some or all of the feelings. There are three types of anesthesia: general, regional and
local. When a patient is given general anesthesia, they will completely lose
consciousness.

General anesthesia may be given in several methods. The most common

method is to inject the drug into the blood vessels, and with the anesthetic
gas provided through the mask. Sometimes also these two methods are
applied simultaneously to the patient.
 TYPES OF Depending on the type of surgery, alternatives to general
ANASTHESIA anesthesia are:

1. Regional anesthesia - nerve blockade. For

example, it can be done in women who
deliver by caesarean section or
appendectomy. Spinal injections will "turn off"
the body from the waist down.
 TYPES OF Depending on the type of surgery, alternatives to general
ANASTHESIA anesthesia are:

2. Local anesthesia - anesthesia is injected into the area to be operated

on. For example, the dentist will inject anesthesia into the gums before
removing your teeth.
GENERAL ANESTHESIA The anesthesiologist checks you to assess whether you are
CONSIDERATIONS fit for general anesthesia or for surgery. Some of the things
considered in general anesthesia include:

Medical history, including your current health condition, such as

diabetes or heart problems
Previous surgical history (surgery)
Allergies, such as whether you are allergic to certain foods or
medicines
The drugs you currently consume, include cigarettes and alcohol.
GENERAL ANESTHESIA PROCEDURE

A few hours before the surgery begins, you may be given “pre-med,” injections or tablet medications
that will make you sleepy or more relaxed. This drug will also help reduce excessive saliva (the operation
process becomes undisturbed because of the amount of saliva that comes out).

Then you are taken to the operating room. An anesthesiologist will either inject intravenous
drugs (into the bloodstream) or by using a gas mask, or both. Within seconds, you will feel
sleepy and then lose consciousness completely.

Next, the anesthesiologist inserts a small tube connected to the ventilator into your airway.
The anesthesiologist will control how long you will “sleep,” and continue to monitor your
pulse or vital circumstances, such as breathing and blood pressure. Generally an
anesthesiologist will give you a transfusion (IV) before, during and after surgery. (Injections
of general anesthesia can be done from the IV line).
After the surgery is complete, you may be injected with other medications that will
reverse the effects of anesthetic drugs or other medications used during the surgery
process (such as muscle relaxant drugs). When an anesthesiologist is satisfied with
the stability of your breathing and your blood circulation, you will be taken to a
recovery room where there is a special officer who will deal with you.
P O ST G E N E R A L A N EST H ES I A

After the surgery is performed, the hospital staff will:

Record your breathing, pulse and blood pressure
Monitor awareness levels, as well as other post-operative special
observations
Take note of all the intravenous fluids given to you.
COMPLICATIONS OF GENERAL ANESTHESIA
Some of the common anesthetic
complications listed below are rare.
Possible side effects of general
anesthesia include:
Injury at the injection site
Infection
Respiratory disorders
Short-term neurological damage
Allergic reactions, such as asthma attacks
Still have awareness or pain during surgery
Injury to the mouth, teeth, lips or tongue
Damage to the larynx or vocal cords
Damage to the lungs
Heart attack
Brain damage
Stroke