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General Anesthesia

General anesthesia involves the delivery of a medicine, through injection or inhalation, to make the patient unconscious or sleep while the surgeon performs surgery on them. General anesthesia aims to make the patient unable to experience the pain stimuli that occur during the surgery. The anesthesia medications cause analgesia, sedation, muscle paralysis, and amnesia.

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  • Types of Surgeries Requiring General Anesthesia: Several types of surgeries require general anesthesia. These surgeries include general surgeries, laparoscopic surgeries, robotic surgeries, oncology surgeries, transplant surgeries, pediatric surgeries, gynecology surgeries, pediatric surgeries, cardiothoracic surgeries, orthopedic surgeries, urology surgeries, vascular surgeries, head and neck surgeries, and plastic surgeries.
  • Preparation for General Anesthesia: Patients undergoing surgery with general anesthesia should have a healthy lifestyle. It includes eating nutritious food, increasing activity levels, getting sound sleep, limiting the consumption of alcohol, and avoiding smoking. The surgeon will review the list of current medications and decide which medications must be stopped. Avoid eating or drinking at least 4-6 hours before the surgery. If the patients use a device for sleep apnea, they are asked to bring it with them.
  • Before General Anesthesia: The patients before anesthesia are comprehensively evaluated to determine their eligibility for undergoing surgery under general anesthesia. They may be asked about their medical history, family health history, allergic reactions to drugs in the past, and if they have been given anesthesia in the past. This information allows the anesthesiologists to use the best form of anesthesia for the patients.
  • During General Anesthesia: Depending on the form of anesthesia decided upon, the anesthesia is delivered to the patients. After the effects of anesthesia wear off, a breathing tube is inserted into the mouth and guided to the windpipe for continuous delivery of oxygen. The patients are under constant monitoring by the anesthesiologists throughout the surgery.
  • After General Anesthesia: The delivery of anesthesia drugs is stopped after the surgery is completed. The patient gains consciousness in the ICU or recovery room. The patients may feel confused for several minutes after awakening.

Faq's

Why are the patients advised not to eat or drink for at least 5-6 hours before the surgery?

The muscles of the digestive system are relaxed after anesthesia. It increases the risk of passing the food and fluids of the stomach into the lungs. Thus, the patients are advised to avoid eating or drinking a few hours before the surgery.

What are the various forms of general anesthesia?

Various forms of general anesthesia include intravenous anesthetics, inhalational anesthetics, intravenous sedatives, neuromuscular blocking drugs, and sedative opioids.