The Anesthesia Fact Book: Everything You Need To Know Before Surgery

509 Pages·2003·10.87 MB·English

by  Frank Sweeny

The Anesthesia
FACT BOOK
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The Anesthesia
FACT BOOK
Everything You Need
to Know Before Surgery
FRANK SWEENY, M.D.
PERSEUS
PUBLISHING
A Member of the
Perseus Books Group
Many of the designations used by manufacturers and sellers to distinguish their
products are claimed as trademarks. Where those designations appear in this
book, and where Perseus Publishing was aware of a trademark claim, the desig-
nations have been printed in initial capital letters.
Copyright © 2003 by Frank Sweeny, M.D.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a
retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic,
mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written
permission of the publisher. Printed in the United States of America.
Library of Congress Control Number: 2003100410
ISBN 0-7382-0823-x
Perseus Publishing is a member of the Perseus Books Group.
Find us on the World Wide Web at http://www.perseuspublishing.com.
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Text design by Jeff Williams
Set in 11-point Minion by the Perseus Books Group
First printing, March 2003
123456789 10—06 05 04 03
This book is dedicated to my parents, Patricia Ann and
John Paul to whom I owe my life and to my three biggest
supporters, Yadi, Sara, and Sydney.
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Contents
Acknowledgments xi
Introduction xiii
Part I: Before Surgery
1 Who's the Person Giving My Anesthesia?
Do Credentials Matter? 3
2 Will I Speak to My Anesthesiologist
Before Surgery? Does It Matter? 13
3 Why Do Doctors Order So Many Tests
Before Surgery? 20
4 Why Must I Fast So Long Before Anesthesia? 25
5 Should I (or My Child) Receive
Sedative Medication Before Surgery? 29
6 Do I Need an Anesthesia Specialist for
My Child? 35
7 Do I Need an Anesthesia Specialist for
My Heart Surgery? 38
8 Do My Coexisting Medical Problems
Affect the Risk of Anesthesia? 41
9 Am I at Increased Risk If a Relative Died
While Under Anesthesia? 47
vii
viii Contents
10 Is it Dangerous to Have Multiple Anesthetics
in a Short Period of Time? 53
11 Will the Anesthesiologist Be Present and
Watching Me Throughout Surgery? 57
Part II: General Anesthesia
12 What Is General Anesthesia and How Is It
Administered? 65
13 Will a Plastic Tube Be in My Windpipe During
Anesthesia? 75
14 How Will I Be Monitored While
I'm Under Anesthesia? 83
15 Will I Be Paralyzed During Anesthesia? 92
16 Is It Possible to Be Awake During Surgery? 96
17 How Does the Anesthesiologist Know How
Deeply I'm Asleep During Surgery? 105
18 Does General Anesthesia Have Any
Lasting Effects on Mental Function? 111
19 What Is the Risk of Anesthesia? 118
20 What Are the Potential Complications of
General Anesthesia? 126
Part III: After Surgery
21 Who Watches Me After General Anesthesia?
Does It Really Matter? 135
22 Can the Anesthesiologist Prevent
Nausea and Vomiting? 140
Contents ix
23 Should I Avoid Narcotic Pain Medication
After Surgery? 147
24 How Will My Pain Be Managed After Surgery? 152
Part IV: Types of Anesthesia
Other Than General Anesthesia
25 What Is Twilight Anesthesia? 167
26 What Are Spinal and Epidural Anesthesia? 176
27 Is Regional Anesthesia (Spinal or Epidural
Anesthesia) Safer Than General Anesthesia? 185
28 Is It Safe to Have a Procedure in the
Doctor's Office Under Anesthesia? 191
29 The Bottom Line 202
Notes 211
Index 227