Loss of feeling and loss of sensation throughout the body, after being given an anaesthetic.
A substance given tomake someone lose consciousness so that a major surgical operation can be carried out.
General anesthesia is employed to induce a state of unconsciousness and loss of sensation, effectively blocking the perception of pain across the entire body during surgical procedures. It is also utilized to eliminate muscle tension and suppress cardiovascular reflexes in the patient.
The induction and maintenance of general anesthesia are the responsibilities of an anesthesiologist, who administers combinations of drugs through injection, inhalation, or both. Additionally, the anesthesiologist plays a crucial role in the pre-anesthetic evaluation and medication of patients, ensuring their safety throughout the surgical procedure, and overseeing their recovery during the post-anesthetic phase.
The typical method of inducing general anesthesia involves intravenous injection of a barbiturate drug, commonly using a cannula—a tube with a blunt end—that remains in place to facilitate additional drug administration if necessary. To sustain anesthesia, inhalation of anesthetic gases like enflurane or halothane is employed. These gases are introduced into the lungs through either a face mask or an endotracheal tube—a flexible tube inserted into the trachea via the nose or mouth. Throughout the anesthesia procedure, continuous monitoring of vital signs such as blood pressure, pulse, oxygen saturation (using an oximeter), and other essential parameters is conducted. The illustrated box presents the primary stages involved in administering, maintaining, and reversing general anesthesia.
The safety of general anesthesia has significantly improved, and the occurrence of severe complications is now uncommon. Nevertheless, the presence of underlying serious illnesses, such as lung or heart conditions, amplifies the risks associated with the procedure. Fortunately, minor post-anesthetic symptoms like nausea and vomiting can be effectively managed with the use of antiemetic medications.