Is anesthesia safe for senior citizens?
A As Alaskans age, medical and surgical problems inevitably become more common. Your anesthesiologist is responsible for seeing you safely through a surgical procedure, and will meet with you prior to surgery to address your concerns. He will study your medical history and evaluate your diagnostic tests like X-rays, blood tests, and EKGs. He will give special attention to any existing problems you may have, like heart trouble, high blood pressure, lung disease and diabetes. Together, you and he will form the plan for your anesthesia. Some surgery can be accomplished with local anesthesia and a small amount of intravenous sedation. Regional anesthesia, where an area of your body is numbed, can be used for certain surgeries on the extremities or lower abdomen. Examples of regional anesthesia include axillary, interscalene, epidural and spinal block. General anesthesia is commonly used for larger operations and uses a combination of intravenous and inhaled medications. SAFETY – To some ex
