What types of anesthesia are there?
There are three types of anesthesia; local, regional, and general. Local anesthesia is specific; a small area of the body is numbed while one is conscious or awake. Regional anesthesia is administered to numb a specific region of nerves on the body. The patient may be awake/ conscious or receive a sedative for a light sleep during the operation. The patient may remember parts of the procedure, but should be free of pain. General anesthesia is a state of regulated unconsciousness that results in a loss of body sensation through anesthetic drugs, such as gases or vapors inhaled through a mask or breathing tube or drugs given through an IV. It is rare for patients to have any memory during a general anesthesia.
• You are asleep and your whole body is made free of pain. • It is given by intravenous injection of medications and inhalation of anesthetic gases. Local Anesthesia: • You remain awake, but the part of your body that will be operated upon is made numb to pain. This loss of pain sensation is produced by directly injecting the area to be treated with numbing medication. Monitored Anesthesia Care (MAC): • You will be given pain medication and/or a sedative, in conjunction with a local anesthetic, to keep you comfortable during the procedure. • Patients often recover quickly from this type of anesthesia. What type of Anesthesia will I have? Your surgeon and/or your anesthesiologist will discuss with you the type of anesthesia that will meet your needs during your surgery. What are common side effects of Anesthesia? Mild nausea or vomiting is not uncommon after your surgery. It is more likely to occur if you have a history of nausea and vomiting with past surgeries. Depending on the type o
