Is surgical anesthesia just a “shot” and it’s done?

In the impression of many people

Surgical anesthesia seems to be

The process of "getting an injection and then sleeping"

However

Is this view correct?

Anesthesia before surgery

Is it really as easy and simple as just “getting an injection”?

Let's follow in Dr. Coe's footsteps

Uncover the mystery behind surgical anesthesia

Anesthesia is an indispensable part of modern medicine. Its purpose is to reduce or eliminate the patient's pain, discomfort and consciousness during surgery, treatment or other medical procedures to ensure the safe and smooth progress of the medical process.

Therefore, it is a one-sided and inaccurate understanding to simply equate anesthesia with "an injection."

Anesthesia refers to the use of drugs or other methods to temporarily cause the patient to lose all or part of their sensation , especially the sense of pain, so as to achieve a painless and comfortable state during surgery or treatment.

Depending on the scope and method of action, anesthesia can be divided into many types, including but not limited to local anesthesia, regional anesthesia (such as nerve block), general anesthesia, and spinal anesthesia .

(1)

Local anesthesia

Local anesthesia is usually achieved by injecting anesthetic drugs into the surgical site to block local nerve endings, thereby achieving pain-free effect in the area.

Although this process does involve an injection, it is only one part of the anesthesia procedure.

Doctors also need to accurately control the dosage, injection depth and diffusion range of anesthetics according to surgical requirements to ensure the anesthetic effect while avoiding unnecessary damage to surrounding tissues.

(2)

Regional anesthesia and nerve blocks

Regional anesthesia or nerve block is achieved by injecting anesthetic drugs around a specific nerve plexus, nerve trunk or nerve root to achieve anesthesia in that area or the area innervated by that area.

This type of anesthesia also requires precise injection techniques and a deep understanding of the anatomy to ensure that the anesthesia effect is achieved while minimizing the impact on adjacent structures.

(3)

General anesthesia

General anesthesia is a complex and highly specialized medical process, far more than a simple "injection". It not only requires the patient to completely lose consciousness during the operation, but also requires close monitoring and management of the patient's breathing, circulation and other important physiological functions.

The implementation of general anesthesia includes intravenous administration, inhalation administration, or a combination of both, which achieves the anesthetic effect by affecting the central nervous system.

During this process, the anesthesiologist needs to closely monitor the patient's vital signs and adjust the depth of anesthesia according to the progress of the operation and the patient's response to ensure the patient's safety.

(4)

Neuraxial anesthesia

Spinal anesthesia includes epidural anesthesia and subarachnoid anesthesia. It is achieved by injecting anesthetic drugs into the spinal canal of the spine to block the spinal nerve roots and achieve the purpose of lower body anesthesia.

This type of anesthesia also requires strict operation, standardization and precise techniques to ensure that the anesthetic effect is achieved while avoiding damage to the spinal cord and nerve roots.

(1)

Before the operation

Before the operation begins, the anesthesiologist needs to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the patient to understand the patient's physical condition, allergy history, medication status, etc. to ensure the safety of anesthesia. This is like a reconnaissance before a major war. The anesthesiologist needs to collect as much intelligence as possible in order to make correct judgments and decisions during the operation. In addition, the anesthesiologist also needs to fully communicate with the patient, explain the anesthesia process and possible risks, and relieve the patient's nervousness.

(2)

During surgery

The operation has begun, but the anesthesiologist's work is not over. So, what exactly does the anesthesiologist have to do at this stage?

First of all, monitoring the patient's vital signs is the primary task during anesthesia maintenance. Anesthesiologists will pay close attention to the patient's heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, body temperature, and blood oxygen saturation. They will use various advanced medical instruments, such as multi-function monitors and anesthesia machines, to monitor these indicators in real time and be fully prepared for possible emergencies, such as sudden arrhythmia, sudden rise and fall in blood pressure, etc. At this time, anesthesiologists need to make quick judgments and take effective measures to ensure life safety.

At the same time, they also have to constantly adjust the dosage and concentration of anesthetic drugs to adjust the depth of anesthesia . Because the depth of anesthesia is crucial to the success of the operation and the safety of the patient. If the anesthesia is too shallow, the patient may feel pain; while if the anesthesia is too deep, it may affect the patient's vital signs and postoperative recovery. Anesthesiologists need to accurately control the depth of anesthesia by observing the patient's reaction and monitoring various physiological indicators to ensure the smooth progress of the operation. In this process, anesthesiologists need to maintain a high degree of concentration and sharpness, and be ready to deal with possible unexpected situations at any time.

(3)

After the surgery

After the operation, the anesthesiologist also needs to conduct postoperative recovery and monitoring of the patient to ensure that the patient can smoothly pass the anesthesia period. The anesthesiologist will pay close attention to the patient's recovery, including indicators such as consciousness, breathing, and heart rate. They will also give appropriate medication and nursing advice based on the patient's condition to help the patient recover to the best condition as soon as possible. In this process, the anesthesiologist is like a close friend, always caring about the patient's physical condition and psychological needs.

In addition to the above work, anesthesiologists also need to perform tasks such as pain management and prevention of complications . Therefore, the work of anesthesiologists is far more than just "giving an injection"!

Surgical anesthesia

It is a complex and delicate process

Every link

It is a great test of professional skills and experience.

After reading the above content

Are you anesthetized for surgery?

Do you have any further understanding?

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Source: Shanghai Changning District Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Fudan University Jinshan Hospital Service Account, and Popular Science.

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