How General Anesthetics Play An Important Role In Surgery

By Lila Barry


General anesthetics are often administered to patients prior to surgery in order to induce a complete loss of sensation and consciousness. While it is not totally understood how these medications work, there are a few speculations. The common thread found in each of these theories is that the drugs disrupt the function of the receptor cells in the nervous system, thus preventing the sensation of pain.

Two methods are used to deliver this type of anesthesia, inhalation and intravenous. Usually a combination of both methods is used. Anesthesiology is the branch of medicine which deals with the prevention of pain during surgery, and the doctor who provides this care to the patient is called an anesthetist. This professional is responsible for ensuring the safe delivery of the drug during the operation and reversing it to bring about consciousness afterwards.

Inhaled anesthetics are given to the patient through a mask which covers his or her nose and mouth. These vaporized liquids or gases are mixed with oxygen, air and occasionally nitrous oxide in an anesthesia machine from which they are pumped through into the breathing mask and inhaled. The levels of the medication and the patient's response to it are constantly monitored by this machine. Some commonly used inhaled compounds are Sevoflurane, Isoflurane, and Desflurane.

Injectable anesthetics are typically fast-working and work to both induce unconsciousness and maintain it during the procedure by means of an intravenous drip. In some cases benzodiazepines are given simultaneously as a sedative. The drugs most used for surgical IV's include Etomidate and Propofol.

Surgeries which are more complex procedures that typically take a longer time to complete are usually best suited to using a general anesthetic as opposed to a local. This will be decided by the patient and his or her anesthetist. Some operations which normally always use a general include gallbladder removal, hysterectomy, hernia repair, and appendectomy.

Before the patient is given the anesthetic, the anesthetist will normally ask him or her several questions to determine if there is an increased risk. Such risks are very rare, but anesthesia does come with its potential dangers. Patients with allergies, smoking and drinking habits, and obesity are more likely to be affected by these complications. Another reason for such incidents is patients not following instructions properly, such as eating before surgery which may result in vomiting and aspiration.

There are four stage to anesthesia. The first is the initiation of unconsciousness. The second is referred to as the REM stage. The third is called "surgical anesthesia" and is marked by the relaxation of the muscles, constriction of pupils, and a regular breathing pattern. This is the optimal time for the surgery to be done. Stage four is an overdose of the anesthetic compounds and can be deadly if it isn't reversed.

As the patient is undergoing surgery, his or her vital signs will need to be carefully monitored by medical personnel. It is normal for there to be some side effects immediately after the patient is revived such as dizziness, nausea, chills, and a sore throat from the breathing tube which was inserted. After a few hours these feelings will usually subside however. Overall, the benefits of general anesthetics are greater than the discomforts associated with it.




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