There are
several types of anesthetic techniques available for
your surgery ranging from local anesthesia to
general anesthesia. The anesthetic technique
recommended will depend on several factors. In some
cases, the surgical procedure will dictate what kind
of anesthesia will be needed. Based on your medical
history, a type of anesthetic may have an additional
margin of safety. As an outpatient, some techniques
may allow you to recover more quickly with fewer
side effects. Your preferences also will be
incorporated in the selection of the best anesthetic
plan for your procedure.
There are four
anesthetic options:
General
anesthesia - This anesthetic choice produces
unconsciousness so that you will not feel, see or
hear anything during the surgical procedure. The
anesthetic medications are given to you through an
intravenous line or through an anesthesia mask.
Regional
anesthesia - This technique produces
numbness with the injection of local anesthesia
around nerves in a region of the body corresponding
to the surgical procedure. Epidural or spinal blocks
anesthetize the abdomen and both lower extremities.
Other nerve blocks may be done with the nerves in
the arms or legs to anesthetize individual
extremities. With regional anesthesia, medications
can be given that will make you comfortable, drowsy
and blur your memory.
Monitored anesthesia care –With this
approach, you usually receive pain medication and
sedatives through your intravenous line from your
anesthesiologist. The surgeon or anesthesiologist
also will inject local anesthesia into the skin,
which will provide additional pain control during
and after the procedure. While the procedure is
being conducted, your anesthesiologist will monitor
your vital body functions.
Local
anesthesia - The surgeon will inject local
anesthetic to provide numbness at the surgical site.
In this case, there may be no anesthesia team member
with you.
Before
receiving any sedatives or anesthetics, you will
meet your anesthesiologist to discuss the most
appropriate anesthetic plan. Your anesthesiologist
will discuss the risks and benefits associated with
the different anesthetic options. Occasionally it is
not possible to keep you comfortable with regional,
monitored or local anesthesia, and general
anesthesia may be needed. Although uncommon,
complications or side effects can occur with each
anesthetic option even though you are monitored
carefully and your anesthesiologist takes special
precautions to avoid them. With this information,
you will together determine the type of anesthesia
best suited for you.
