Surgery Frequently Asked Questions

This article cites everything patients need to know about surgery and anesthesia The article is arranged in a question and answer type format and explains everything in detail. A disclaimer is present above all to advise readers that the content of the article does not constitute medical advice. It is still best to consult with your family doctor or surgeon about your surgery and specific medical condition. Usually during these sensitive procedures, your surgeon might be using specialized microscopes like operation microscopes to better enhance the image that they see when they operate.

Some questions deal with anesthesia and how different types can be chosen for the specific type of surgery involved. For example, a mother is concerned about the type of anesthesia she will receive when undergoing a c-section. She prefers to have general anesthesia because she has experienced this before and has not come out with any complications. Her previous experiences with spinal anesthesia resulted in discomfort that lasted months. The article has stated that most obstetricians and gynecologists prefer to use spinal anesthesia because the mother is awake and can fully enjoy the birth of her baby. She can see the baby and make eye contact, which is necessary for mother and baby bonding. With spinal anesthesia, there is less possibility of sedating the baby as it would with general anesthesia, so it renders safer for the mother and child.

For those concerned about the drug that is given to make you go to sleep before the surgery, mostly with the surgeon using operation microscopes for better visualization, the article explains that these are “hypnotics”. The most common are sodium pentobarbital and propofol and are administered intravenously.

There are some questions regarding the side effects of anesthesia. One person lost his sense of taste and one experienced significant pain. The article explains that side effects vary but these can be anesthesia related. The loss of sensation can be due to a cranial nerve infringement, and it depends on which cranial nerve has been affected to determine the signs and symptoms. The loss of taste meant that there was damage to the facial nerve during anesthesia administration. Pain, on the other hand, can be due to the type of sedative being administered. The article suggests that you mention to the anesthesiologist the unpleasant side-effects previously experienced so that a different type of sedative will be used if you happen to need surgery in the future. In these surgeries, specialized microscopes are most likely used, an example of these are operation microscopes.

Several types of anesthesia are used for different types of surgery, may it be minor or major. It is essential for you to know what kind of surgery you are undergoing to understand the type of anesthesia to be administered.

There are also several queries about the safest anesthetic plan to take if you have cardiac problems, hypertensive or have diabetes mellitus. Most people about to undergo surgery often neglect discussing with their anesthesiologist what will work best for them. Don’t be afraid to ask your anesthesiologist about the possible discomforts you may feel after the surgery, or air your concerns about the procedure. The anesthesiologist in turn should make the time and effort to answer all your queries. He should ask you if you are allergic to any type of medications, have any other medical problems or taking any over the counter medications. He should make sure that your heart and lungs are in the best condition to before clearing you for surgery. Read more...