|
Anesthesia
What Is It? Anesthesia is defined as the loss of feeling or sensation. It diminishes or eliminates the sensation of pain, discomfort, and anxiety. The type of anesthesia you may received depends on many factors. You will give the physician input on what form of anesthesia you feel most comfortable with. Then the physician will review your medical history and a procedure-pertinent assessment which includes identifying any risk factors for anesthesia. This assessment will determine if you are a good candidate for the procedure and what type of anesthesia that safely can be given. Local anesthesia (using both topical gels and injectable solutions) can be used to "numb" the surgical site if you are at ease and a smaller, less complicated procedure is being performed Local anesthesia is always utilized with sedation. Light sedation to deeper sedation or general anesthesia is available. This is a gas or a drug-induced state during which patients are given medications to control anxiety and pain during a procedure. Sedation for children is given in a safe liquid form, which will enhance the sedation. Then nitrous oxide "laughing gas" or other sedative medications can be used. Who Would Benefit From Anesthesia? Any patient who has anxiety and fear of pain during the procedure would benefit from anesthesia. Patients who are undergoing long or more complicated procedures may require sedation or the procedure to be performed in the operating room. The physician will assist in making the right decision for each patient. What Will The Evaluation Involve? You will complete a health history form. The physician will identify any health risk factors you may have and discuss your concerns. An examination of the airway, heart, and lungs will then be performed. The physician will then discuss the best type of anesthesia for the surgical procedure and answer your questions. A consent form for the procedure and anesthesia will be reviewed with you and obtained. If the patient is a minor, consent will be obtained from the parent and/or legal guardian. What Will Treatment Involve? If local anesthesia is to be performed, a topical ointment will be placed on the surgical site to start the numbing process. Then an injection of medication will be placed into the site to complete the numbing of the surgical area. This injection removes all painful stimuli but pressure sensations may still be felt. If sedation/general anesthesia is to be performed, an IV will be started on the patient. The surgical staff will place monitoring devices to check vital signs like blood pressure, heart rate, pulse, etc while you are sedated. Then the physician will start the medications for the sedation. You will generally have no awareness or recall of these procedures. Patients must be without food or drink after midnight the night before sedation or eight hours before the procedure. They must have an escort with them to drive them home. What Does The Post-Anesthesia Care Involve? Patients receiving sedation are closely monitored by a RN. When you have regained some awareness and you are able to stand and move without dizziness or lightheadedness, you will be discharged. Your escort will need to drive you as anesthesia causes drowsiness and you should not drive or operate machinery for 24 hours. It is best to drink clear liquids, e.g. ginger ale or juices, first, then graduate to softer and/or lighter foods over the next 48 hours, as they are tolerated. Soda crackers may help to settle the stomach after anesthesia. A written post-care instruction sheet will be given for the patient to refer to at home. How Safe is Anesthesia? There is long and well-documented history of anesthesia safety in outpatients oral and maxillofacial surgery practices. This is due to several factors:
What If I Get Sick After Anesthesia? Everybody responds differently to anesthetic medications. All anesthetic agents especially narcotic medicines used for pain control, may cause some nausea. Most of the time, patients who have not had anything to eat and drink (except sips of water for medications) prior to the procedure will not experience nausea. If you have a history of nausea after anesthesia, the physician will administer anti-nausea medications and may also prescribe medications to take at home to prevent nausea. Drinking plenty of fluids (clear carbonated drinks and water) with soft, bland foods will help to settle the stomach. Keeping ice packs on the cheeks or forehead, keeping oneself quiet and slightly upright with a comfortable room temperature will also be helpful.
|