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Major Gyn Surgery (continued)

Anesthesia

Anesthesia refers to the techniques and drugs used to relax the patient, prevent pain, and induce a state of unconsciousness or lack of awareness during the surgical procedure. Surgical anesthesia is given by either a doctor or a nurse who has had special training in these techniques. There are many ways to give anesthesia during surgery. The following are a list of the more common types:

General anesthesia

The patient is put completely to sleep and a tube is put down the throat and drugs given to keep the patient asleep while they are attached to a machine which helps them to breathe. Drugs are given to reverse this process, once the surgery is finished.

Spinal or Epidural Anesthesia

Numbing medications and sometimes a small tube are placed into the spine or area around the spine to deaden nerves and sensation in the area of the surgery. The patient becomes unable to feel or move in this area. The type of drug used and the amount help determine the level and nature of the anesthesia. Sometimes these small tubes are left in and medication put through them to help with pain after surgery, in much the same way that pain is deadened for women in labor. During this type of anesthesia, the patient is not completely asleep and is able to breathe for herself. This process is reversed by stopping the numbing medications and removing the tube.

Local Anesthesia

This type of anesthesia is usually used for less involved and quicker procedures, such as removal of small areas of tissue for examination and diagnosis. The nurse anesthetist or anesthesiologist will inject numbing medication into a certain area to deaden only nerves in that area for a period of time (like the injections dentist use to work on teeth). Many surgeons are skilled at these procedures and may also give these injections, like obstetricians do during childbirth.

Intravenous (IV) Sedation

IV Sedation is simply the use of drugs given directly into the vein to act quickly to decrease a patient's awareness, anxiety, and pain. Different drugs can be used and this method is often done in combination with other types of anesthesia. The patient is not completely asleep and is able to breathe on their own.

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