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Some patients facing surgery worry that they could wake up while under general anesthesia.
Although "intraoperative awareness" can happen, it is very rare. In 99.8 percent to 99.9 percent of cases, the patient remains unaware throughout the operation. When awareness does happen, it is often very brief and painless.
For a very small number of patients, however, the experience of awareness - and the helpless feeling of not being able to let their doctor know they are aware - can lead to a condition similar to post-traumatic stress. This can be lessened or avoided if the patient gets proper psychological support immediately.
Why does it happen? While the safety of anesthesia has increased in the past 20 years, awareness during surgery is not completely unavoidable. People react differently to the same level or type of anesthesia. Sometimes, different medications can mask the warning signs that indicate the anesthesia is not working as well as it should. In rare instances, technical failure or human error may contribute to unexpected episodes of awareness.
According to the American Society of Anesthesiologists, patients undergoing cardiac surgery, trauma surgery, emergency cesarean sections or whose medical condition is unstable, often cannot tolerate deeper levels of anesthesia and are at highest risk for awareness under general anesthesia.
Despite the rarity of waking up during surgery, many patients may wish to discuss the possibility of it occurring with their doctor. Here are a few things patients should know about anesthesia awareness:
* Patients experiencing awareness usually do not feel pain. Some patients may experience only a feeling of pressure.
* Awareness can range from brief, hazy recollections to some specific awareness of surroundings. Patients often dream during surgery and may think they have experienced awareness.
* Early counseling after an episode of awareness can help to lessen feelings of confusion, stress or trauma associated with the experience.
* Over the last 20 years, developments in the field of anesthesiology have dramatically improved patient safety and comfort during surgery.
* New brain wave monitoring devices are being studied to determine whether they can help reduce the possibility of awareness.
Often, surgery is unavoidable and necessary to save lives. To feel at ease about your anesthesia care, talk to your anesthesia professional before any surgical procedure.
For more information about awareness while under anesthesia, go to www.asahq.org. -NU |
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