For a long time, general anesthesia was feared due to many unpleasant side effects and was considered dangerous. Nowadays, due to modern technology and the latest medications, this is only true in exceptional cases.
What is general anesthesia?
In general anesthesia, the patient is put into a kind of coma by so-called hypnotics. This is done by administering drugs that “turn off” consciousness. In general anesthesia, the patient is put into a kind of coma by so-called hypnotics. This is done by administering drugs that “switch off” consciousness. In order to guarantee freedom from pain throughout the body, analgesics, i.e. strong painkillers, are also given. In addition, relaxants are administered to relax the muscles. The drugs can be administered intravenously, i.e. with the help of an infusion tube, or with the breath. In less than a minute, the patient falls asleep. His vital signs and the depth of anesthesia are monitored by the attending anesthesiologist throughout the procedure. The difference between general anesthesia and sedation is due to the fact that the patient cannot be awakened during general anesthesia, and the impairment of circulation and respiratory function is also greater. Unlike general anesthesia, the patient is conscious during local anesthesia, and only one area of the body is made painless.
Function, effect and goals
General anesthesia is used for many different surgeries. It has the advantage that patients are not conscious during the procedure, so they do not witness what is happening in the operating room. In addition, the patient does not feel any pain and the relaxants can ensure that the patient does not move during the operation or that there are involuntary muscle twitches. Major surgery in particular can only be performed under general anesthesia. The anesthesia is started with the administration of analgesics and hypnotics and is maintained throughout the surgical procedure by continuously supplying the necessary drugs. The administered mix of anesthetics provides a coma-like state, freedom from pain, inhibition of the autonomic nervous system and relaxation of muscles. The exact procedure of general anesthesia may vary from patient to patient, but there is a general procedure that is almost always followed. Once the patient is asleep, a breathing tube is placed. On the one hand, this tube conveys air to the lungs, but it may also contain anesthetic gas, which serves to maintain anesthesia until the end of the operation. For operations that last only a very short time, it is sometimes sufficient to simply ventilate the patient via a mask. While surgeons perform the procedure, the anesthesiologist monitors the patient’s circulatory situation as well as the depth of anesthesia; if necessary, he or she can administer additional medications or change the dose. Once the surgery is complete, the anesthesiologist discontinues the anesthetic medications and the tube is removed. After the anesthetics are discontinued, it takes several minutes for the patient to regain full consciousness, during which time he or she is monitored in the recovery room.
Risks and hazards
Although general anesthesia is feared by many people and considered dangerous, it is very safe. Only in extreme cases does the patient experience life-threatening conditions due to anesthesia. Thanks to the latest medications, technical aids for monitoring the patient, and the constant presence of a team of doctors and nurses specializing in anesthesia during the operation, general anesthesia is very safe. However, the individual risk depends not only on the anesthesia itself but also on the type and duration of the surgery and the patient’s general health. Possible complications include cardiovascular problems, problems with ventilation or damage to teeth or mucosal tissue due to intubation, and also allergic reactions to administered drugs. Another risk is the transfer of stomach contents to the lungs, which can lead to severe pneumonia; therefore, it is important not to eat anything for at least six hours before a procedure and not to consume any fluids for at least two hours beforehand.Just a few decades ago, severe nausea and vomiting were among the most common side effects after waking up from general anesthesia. Nowadays, such mood disorders, which include flu-like symptoms such as hoarseness and sore throat, have become much less common after surgery and are the exception rather than the rule.
