If you are going to undergo a surgical procedure, be it aesthetic or not, it is very likely that you will have some questions. But, among all of them, it is interesting to know which are the types of anesthesia existing.
After all, from the moment you know better about this subject, you will be much less afraid and more confident in the process.
Imagine a world where pain is no longer a barrier to healing. This is the miracle of anesthesia, a medical achievement that has transformed the face of medicine by eliminating the pain and discomfort of surgical procedures.
Today, the diversity of anesthesia options not only facilitates surgeries, but also works as an effective relief for various pain conditions.
So, to learn more about the types of anesthesia, just continue reading in the following paragraphs.
How is the preparation for the anesthesia process before the surgeries?
Before we talk about the types of anesthesia, it’s interesting that you know a little better about how the preparation is.
Preparation for the anesthesia process is a critical step that takes place before surgery and involves several steps to ensure patient safety and well-being.
To understand better, below we detail the whole process.
Pre-anesthetic evaluation
Before surgery, the anesthesiologist performs an assessment of the patient to determine the best approach to anesthesia.
Most of the time, this evaluation is based on a discussion of the patient’s medical history, to be sure which anesthesia is the most appropriate.
To do this, the doctor evaluates existing medical conditions, medications the patient may be taking, and past experiences with anesthesia.
This may also include physical and laboratory examinations when necessary.
preoperative fasting
In general, patients are instructed not to eat or drink anything for a certain period before surgery.
This is necessary precisely to prevent pulmonary aspiration, which is when stomach contents enter the lungs.
Furthermore, if you are going to have plastic surgery, such as abdominoplastyfasting becomes an even more necessary requirement to avoid complications.
Preparation on the day of surgery
On the day of surgery, the patient may be given pre-anesthetic medication to help relax and prepare the body for anesthesia.
However, this is not always going to happen. In fact, the type of medicine depends on the health of the patient and the type of surgery.
Monitoring
During surgery, the anesthesiologist constantly monitors the patient to ensure safety and comfort.
So, throughout the surgery, the doctor should monitor the patient’s vital signs, such as blood pressure, heart rate and blood oxygenation.
Postoperative
After surgery, the patient must go to the recovery room, where the medical staff continues to monitor the patient’s vital signs and pain level while the anesthesia wears off.
What types of anesthesia?
There are several types of anesthesia, which serve for different situations and procedures, always taking into account the general health status of the patient.
But, among the types of anesthesia, we can mention the following:
Local anesthesia
Local anesthesia has the function of eliminating the sensation of pain in a specific and reduced area of the body, such as a tooth during dental treatment.
The patient remains conscious and awake during this process.
Regional Anesthesia
In order to suppress pain in a wider region of the body, regional anesthesia should be applied. However, there are two main variants, which are:
- Spinal and Epidural Anesthesia (Spinal Anesthesia): Often used in procedures involving the legs, pelvis and lower abdomen. Anesthesia is injected into the surrounding area of the spinal cord through a needle, interrupting the transmission of pain to the lower part of the body.
- Nerve Block (Plexus or Truncal Anesthesia): It is the choice for procedures that take place on an arm, leg or face. In this case, anesthesia must be injected around the nerves that command sensitivity in the surgery region.
General anesthesia
For more complex and invasive procedures, such as heart or brain surgery, general anesthesia is often the most useful.
The patient enters a state of unconsciousness and does not feel pain. This type of anesthesia can be given through an inhalation mask or by intravenous injection.
Sedation
Considered a lighter version of anesthesia, sedation is used to help patients relax during minor procedures or to ease anxiety.
It can be administered orally, intravenously or through an inhalation mask. Sedation does not completely eliminate pain, but it helps to reduce anxiety and may lead to memory loss of the procedure.
Each type of anesthesia has its own risks and benefits, and the type of anesthesia used depends on several factors, including the type of procedure, the patient’s general health, and patient and physician preference.
