General anesthesia

General anesthesia is a state of unconsciousness produced by anesthetic medications. It is a medically induced coma, not sleep. The patient does not respond to pain or other stimuli and cannot remember the surgery.

Indications

General anesthesia is used for major operations, such as heart surgery, spine surgery, abdominal surgery, or hip replacement. It is also used when the patient needs to be still for a long period or when the surgery is too painful to perform under local anesthesia or regional anesthesia.

Procedure

General anesthesia is administered by an anesthesiologist or a nurse anesthetist. The patient is first given a medication to help them relax. Then, the anesthetic is administered through a vein (intravenous) or by inhalation. The anesthesiologist monitors the patient's vital signs and adjusts the anesthetic as needed during the surgery.

Risks

Like all medical procedures, general anesthesia has risks. These include allergic reactions to the anesthetic, breathing problems, heart attack, stroke, and death. The risk is higher in people with certain medical conditions, such as heart disease, lung disease, and obesity. The risk is also higher in older adults and in people who smoke or drink alcohol.

Recovery

After the surgery, the patient is taken to a recovery room. The anesthetic is stopped, and the patient gradually wakes up. The patient may feel groggy, confused, or nauseated. These effects usually go away within a few hours.

See also

• Local anesthesia
• Regional anesthesia
• Anesthesiologist
• Nurse anesthetist

General anesthesia Resources
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