Imagine a doctor performing a complex surgery on your body without your knowledge – this is exactly the miracle that general anesthesia brings to us. General anesthesia not only ensures the smooth operation but also ensures absolute comfort and pain-free for the patient. However, there are risks behind this seemingly perfect anesthesia that cannot be ignored. In this article, we will delve into the mechanism of action of general anesthesia, how it can save lives, the potential threats it may pose, and how we can effectively manage these risks to ensure that every use of general anesthesia is safe.
The Mystery of General Anesthesia: Decoding Its Basic Mechanism of Action
General anesthesia, a common but complex concept in medical surgery, temporarily shuts down our consciousness through the power of drugs, leaving the patient with neither feeling nor memory during the procedure. But how does this work? What are the types of general anesthetic drugs? This section will answer each of these questions.
1. Classification and function of general anesthesia drugs
General anesthetic drugs can be broadly divided into two categories: inhalation anesthetics and intravenous anesthetics. Inhalation anesthetics, such as isoflurane and nitroglycerin, act primarily through the respiratory system and rapidly guide the patient into an unconscious state, while intravenous anesthetics, such as propofol and sodium thiopental, are injected directly into the bloodstream with a quick and easy control effect.
2. Nervous system: the main battlefield of general anesthetics
The central role of general anesthetic drugs is the effect on the central nervous system. These drugs reduce the brain's perception and response to pain by inhibiting the activity of neurons. More specifically, general anesthetic drugs mainly affect the limbic system of the brain, which is a key area that controls emotional and behavioral responses, and after the drug acts, the patient's pain sensation and autonomic response are temporarily blocked.
3. Multiple mechanisms of action of general anesthesia
In addition to acting directly on the nervous system, general anesthetic drugs also have the function of relaxing muscles, stabilizing heart rhythm, and regulating body temperature. These actions ensure a stable internal environment for the patient during the procedure, thus minimizing surprises and complications during the procedure. For example, muscle relaxants can make the operation of the surgical area smoother, while thermoregulation prevents problems caused by abnormal body temperature during surgery.
Fourth, the dynamic balance between general anesthesia and drug efficacy
Administering general anesthesia is more than just a single injection, it involves delicate pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic regulation. Doctors must adjust the drug dose in real time according to the patient's physiological state to ensure that the depth of anesthesia matches the needs of the procedure. This process requires a high degree of expertise and experience in order to precisely control the rate at which drugs are metabolized and to maintain appropriate drug concentrations.
5. Mechanism of side effects of general anesthesia
Although general anesthesia is medically effective, its side effects cannot be ignored. The side effects of general anesthesia cover a wide range of physiological responses, from respiratory depression to increased cardiac burden to potential nerve damage. Understanding the physiological basis of these side effects is key to optimizing anesthesia regimens and improving surgical safety.
General anaesthesia: the preferred solution in surgery
In a variety of surgical procedures, general anesthesia is the key to pain control and patient quiet. This form of anesthesia is particularly suitable for the following types of surgery:
Major open surgery, such as gastrointestinal surgery and organ transplantation, involves a wide range of open areas of the body and requires long-term pain control.
Cardiac surgery: including coronary artery bypass grafting and heart valve replacement, general anesthesia can effectively manage pain during surgery and control patients' physiological responses.
Neurosurgery: In cases of high intracranial pressure, general anesthesia can help maintain brain stability and pressure control.
Trauma surgery: When dealing with severe trauma, such as multiple fractures or extensive burns, general anesthesia can provide the necessary pain relief to ensure that the surgery goes smoothly.
In addition to the type of surgery, the patient's individual condition is also an important factor in the choice of general anesthesia. General anesthesia is suitable for:
Overweight patients: the use of general anesthesia in these patients may reduce the risk of local toxicity of local anesthetic drugs.
Patients with severe cardiovascular disease: general anesthesia can be controlled by anesthesia management specialists to control cardiac output and blood pressure and maintain stable vital signs.
Patients with chronic respiratory disease: in these patients, general anesthesia is effective in avoiding respiratory irritation that may be caused by local anesthesia.
The potential harms of general anesthesia and their probability
General anesthesia: a side effect that cannot be ignored
Although general anesthesia is the anesthesia of choice in many complex surgeries, its use is not risk-free. The main risks that can result from general anesthesia include:
Respiratory Risks:
Respiratory depression: general anesthetic medications may cause a temporary loss of spontaneous respiratory function and require mechanical ventilatory support.
Pulmonary complications: These include lung infections and atelectasis, which is partial or total collapse of the lungs, which may occur after surgery.
Circulatory Risks:
Heart rate problems: Anesthetic medications can cause arrhythmias, especially in patients with a history of heart disease.
Drop in blood pressure: A drop in blood pressure that is common during general anesthesia can lead to reduced blood flow to vital organs, increasing the risk of postoperative complications.
Neurological Risks:
Postoperative cognitive impairment (POCD): Particularly in older patients, symptoms such as memory loss and cognitive decline may occur after general anesthesia, which may persist for weeks to months.
Chance of occurrence:
Respiratory problems: The risk of respiratory depression due to general anesthesia is high without proper monitoring and management, but its incidence has been greatly reduced to less than 1% under the modern healthcare system with precise control and monitoring.
Circulatory effects: The incidence of arrhythmia is about 2-3%, while the incidence of severe blood pressure drop is less common at about 0.5%.
Neurological effects: The incidence of POCD is about 10-15% in older patients, but it is usually reversible.
Strategies to mitigate the risk of general anaesthesia:
In order to reduce the harm caused by general anesthesia, preoperative evaluation and intraoperative monitoring are key. A proper preanesthetic evaluation can help doctors understand the patient's underlying health status and anesthesia risks, so as to select the most appropriate anesthesia regimen. In addition, the use of modern anesthesia monitoring equipment can monitor the patient's vital signs in real time, adjust the depth of anesthesia and drug dosage in time, and minimize the potential risk of general anesthesia.