Types of Anesthesia
What is General Anesthesia?
General anesthesia is a medically induced state where a person is made completely unconscious and unaware of their surroundings during surgery or a medical procedure(s). It works by using a combination of medications, inhaled or through an IV, to block pain, prevent movement, and keep the body relaxed. This ensures the individual feels no pain or discomfort and does not remember the procedure afterward.
What is Regional Anesthesia?
Anesthesia that numbs a specific area of the body, e.g., limbs, the abdomen, or lower body. It works by chemically blocking the nerves that carry pain signals to the brain. When regional anesthesia is used, typically patients are also anesthetized during the procedure to ensure comfort and amnesia. The two most common types of regional anesthesia used are peripheral nerve blocks and spinal anesthesia.
Peripheral nerve blocks: Anesthesia that numbs a specific area of the body by injecting medication near the nerves that control sensation in that region, providing pain relief during and after a surgery or procedure.
Spinal – or Epidural anesthesia: Anesthesia where numbing medicine is injected into the lower back to temporarily block pain and feeling in the lower half of the body.
What is IV sedation?
The delivery of medication through an intravenous (IV) line that helps an individual feel calm and drowsy, but awake enough to respond, though they commonly have little to no memory of the procedure afterward. IV sedation is often used for less invasive procedures to make the experience more comfortable without inducing general anesthesia.
What type of anesthesia will I receive?
The specifics will be determined by the unique requirements of the individual and their procedure. Your anesthesiologist and CRNA will create an anesthetic plan specific to your situation to include the type of procedure you are having, your medical history, your past anesthesia history, lab tests, allergies and family history. Prior to surgery, your anesthesia provider will discuss the anesthesia plan with you and answer any questions you have. Your comfort with the anesthetic plan is of the utmost importance.
What are the risks of anesthesia?
Overall, anesthesia is very safe. The risks vary depending on the type of surgery you are having and your medical conditions. Your anesthesia team will discuss specific risks with you, but if you have individual concerns, we encourage you to discuss those with your anesthesia team. The most common risks include nausea and vomiting, prolonged sedation following your procedure, bruising at your IV site and a sore or irritated throat.
