Surgery Guide

The following are some common medical terms used in outpatient surgery. Some you may know, but others may give you a better idea of what you will experience during the procedure.

Anesthesia: the absence of essentially all sensation rendering a person in such a state that an operation can be carried out without discomfort while the vital functions are being preserved.

Anesthesiologist: a doctor of medicine who specializes in the field of anesthesia.

Nurse Anesthetist: a certified registered nurse who has special training in the field of anesthesia and functions under the medical direction of the anesthesiologist.

What Are The Types Of Anesthesia?

Local anesthesia: consists of drugs injected directly into the area of operation, causing numbness only in that area. Although a local anesthetic is usually injected by the surgeon, anesthesia personnel may be present to give sedative medications and monitor vital functions.

Regional anesthesia: an injection of drugs that causes the loss of sensation in a specific area of the body.

After local or regional anesthesia is administered, the area injected with anesthetic will remain numb for several hours. As sensation returns to the area, you may feel some pain in the area of the incision. Generally, pain medication will be given to you.

Nerve block: commonly used for hand or arm surgery. A drug is injected in and around the main nerve trunk, causing blockage of pain sensation to the brain and numbness to the limb.

Spinal or epidural block: usually used for hip, leg and some abdominal surgery. A drug is injected into the fluid and space around the spinal cord, causing blockage of pain sensations. You will be “numb” from the waist down. During regional anesthesia, you may feel pressure or touch, but no pain. You may be given a medication to help you relax. If you have a spinal, an epidural or a nerve block you may be unable to move the affected limbs until the anesthetic wears off. You may also have the sensation of your limb “floating in air” or being “elevated.”

General anesthesia: an induced state where the patient’s entire body is affected by the anesthetic agent usually administered through the vein or in a vaporized form. You will lose consciousness completely. The amount of anesthetic given is continually adjusted to your response.

With a general anesthesia, you will awaken shortly after entering the recovery room. At first, you may notice a slight sore throat but this will soon subside. A sore throat may be a result of a tube inserted into the windpipe during surgery. Taking slow, deep breaths will rid your lungs of the anesthetic gases, help you awaken more quickly and alleviate symptoms of nausea. You will probably feel sleepy for several hours.

The type of anesthesia used for your surgery depends on many factors, the most important being your safety. The anesthesiologist who consults with you prior to the operation will carefully weigh all the factors before making a decision on the type of anesthetic to use. You are a critical part of the decision process and the type of anesthesia you receive depends on many factors, the most important being your safety. The anesthesiologist whom you will consult with will carefully weigh all factors before making a decision on the type of anesthetic to use during your procedure. You are a part of this decision process.

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