Anesthesia

Anesthesia is a medical treatment that blocks the pain of medical procedures and surgery. There are multiple forms of anesthesia and each works in different ways depending on the type and scope of the procedure. For example, some anesthetics numb certain parts of the body, while others put you in a deep sleep for more invasive procedures. The following information explores how anesthesia is administered, patient safety, and some of the common anesthetics you may receive before a surgery or procedure at Insight Orthopedic Specialists.

Anesthesia Overview

Before Anesthesia

The type of anesthesia used depends on a number of factors, including the type of surgery, health history, and current health. In complex procedures, anesthesiologists will determine the best anesthetic. Patients will also be asked about their physical and mental health, food and drug allergies, and medication usage. Past experience with anesthesia will also be taken into consideration.

Patient Safety

Because of the complexities of anesthesia and the impacts it can have on the body, patient safety is a top consideration. Although modern technology has minimized risks and side effects, patient health is monitored closely any time anesthetics are used.

Conscious Sedation

Conscious sedation is a type of anesthesia that relaxes the patient by reducing anxiety and discomfort. It is also used to reduce the sensation and awareness of pain in certain procedures. Conscious sedation is generally used for quick procedures and is not used to put the patient to sleep. After the procedure, this type of anesthesia will wear off quickly.

The conscious sedation methods used will vary depending on patient needs and the type of procedure. There are several factors an anesthesia provider will consider before determining the best option for their patient, including current health, medical history, medication use, allergies, and past experience with anesthesia. During the procedure, the patient will also be monitored closely.

The most common ways to deliver this type of anesthesia is through needle or an IV. In some cases, it may also be available orally or as a pill. The effects of sedation differ from person to person, but the patient should feel drowsy and relaxed. Patients will often fall asleep, but it is not difficult to wake them to give commands or ask questions. Pain will not be remembered after the procedure.

Recovery from conscious sedation is generally quick, although some side effects are common. Drowsiness, headaches, nausea, sluggishness, and confusion are all possible but should go away throughout the day.

General Anesthesia

General anesthesia puts a patient in a sleep-like state before a surgery or medical procedure. This is often referred to as being “put under” or “put to sleep.” Unlike regular sleep, a person under general anesthesia will not feel pain or remember what happened during the procedure.

The two most common types of general anesthesia are intravenous anesthesia given through a needle and gas anesthesia given through a mask or tube. The type of anesthesia used depends on the procedure. The anesthesia provider will talk with the patient about medical history, current health, medications, allergies, and past uses of anesthesia to determine the safest options.

Anesthesia will start before the surgery or procedure and a breathing tube or mask may also be used to assist the lungs. The anesthesia provider will monitor the patient continuously, checking vital signs and adjusting anesthesia to keep the patient safe and comfortable.

When the surgery or procedure is complete, the anesthesia provider will wake the patient up slowly in either the operating room or the recovery room. Patients often feel sleepy and confused. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, sore throat, muscle aches, and shivering. Symptoms usually go away quickly.

General Anesthesia

General anesthesia puts a patient in a sleep-like state before a surgery or medical procedure. This is often referred to as being “put under” or “put to sleep.” Unlike regular sleep, a person under general anesthesia will not feel pain or remember what happened during the procedure.

The two most common types of general anesthesia are intravenous anesthesia given through a needle and gas anesthesia given through a mask or tube. The type of anesthesia used depends on the procedure. The anesthesia provider will talk with the patient about medical history, current health, medications, allergies, and past uses of anesthesia to determine the safest options.

Anesthesia will start before the surgery or procedure and a breathing tube or mask may also be used to assist the lungs. The anesthesia provider will monitor the patient continuously, checking vital signs and adjusting anesthesia to keep the patient safe and comfortable.

When the surgery or procedure is complete, the anesthesia provider will wake the patient up slowly in either the operating room or the recovery room. Patients often feel sleepy and confused. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, sore throat, muscle aches, and shivering. Symptoms usually go away quickly.

Local Anesthesia

Local anesthesia temporarily numbs a small area of the body to prevent a patient from feeling pain during a medical procedure. Local anesthesia is common in minor outpatient surgeries.

The anesthesia provider will consider a number of factors before administering a local anesthetic, including medical history, current health, medications, allergies, and past experience with anesthesia. This information will help determine the safest options for the patient and procedure. Local anesthetics are often injected using a needle. Topical anesthetics such as creams or gels are also used depending on the part of the body being numbed. It usually only takes a few minutes for the anesthetic to start working.

Local anesthetics will wear off within an hour but can take up to 12 hours depending on the type of anesthesia used. As it wears off, the patient may feel a tingling sensation. Patients who have received local anesthetics must be careful to not accidentally injure the affected area before the anesthesia wears off. Local anesthetics are generally safe and do not cause noticeable side effects.

Regional Anesthesia

Regional anesthesia blocks a large area of the body to prevent pain during or after a medical procedure. This type of anesthesia does not put the patient to sleep but is often used together with sedation or general anesthesia.

An anesthesia provider will consider a variety of factors before selecting the type and amount to use for the patient, including health information, medical history, medications, allergies, and previous experiences with anesthesia.

Regional anesthesia is injected close to the nerve or a bundle of nerves in the arms, hands, legs, and feet to numb extremities. To numb a limb for a long period of time, a catheter may be inserted. A catheter can also be placed near the spinal cord to numb the lower abdomen and groin or legs.

Pain can be controlled for hours or days after a surgical procedure using regional anesthesia through a catheter. Post surgery, the patient can control the dose. Common side effects include sleepiness, confusion, shivering, nausea, and vomiting. Patients may also experience dry mouth or sore throat. Symptoms usually go away quickly after the procedure.

Monitored Anesthesia Care (MAC)

Monitored anesthesia care (MAC) is a type of sedation administered through an IV to make a patient feel sleepy and relaxed during a procedure. Also known as conscious sedation, this type of anesthesia reduces sensations and the awareness of pain without putting the patient to sleep. MAC is commonly used in outpatient procedures that can be completed quickly and wears off quickly.
Anesthesia providers consider a number of factors to determine the type and amount of anesthesia a patient will need, including medical history, current health, medication use, allergies, and past experience. The patient’s vital signs and level of comfort is monitored closely during the procedure.
Patients typically receive monitored anesthesia care through a needle or IV, depending on the type of procedure. Although patients are awake during the procedure and can respond to questions or commands, they will feel relaxed and groggy. Sometimes a patient will fall asleep but can be awakened easily. Pain from the procedure will not be remembered, but side effects can include headaches, nausea, and vomiting. Symptoms usually go away quickly.

Peripheral Nerve Block

Peripheral nerve blocks are a type of regional anesthesia that completely blocks sensation in an arm, leg, or other part of the body for surgery. Peripheral nerve blocks last longer than general anesthesia and do not put the patient to sleep. Nerve blocks are often used together with sedation and general anesthesia during surgery.

Anesthesia providers consider a variety of factors before determining the type and amount of anesthesia a patient will need, including medical history, current health, allergies, and past experiences with anesthesia. The peripheral nerve block is injected with a needle in the part of the body being treated. The injection is placed near a cluster of nerves to block sensation.

The treated area will feel numb, heavy, or weak after the surgery or procedure. Some patients experience difficulty controlling the limb and may require a sling or crutches until the anesthetic wears off. Peripheral nerve blocks can last for several hours after the initial injection.

Attached are discharge instructions based on what surgery you’re having/had. Please follow these instructions for optimal care. Any questions, please call our office at 810-732-8336. Thank you!

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