THERE ARE BASICALLY FIVE TYPES OF ANESTHESIA THAT MAY BE USED:
GENERAL ANESTHESIA:
General anesthesia causes a loss of consciousness. It usually begins in the operating room when medications are given through your IV (a small plastic tube placed in your arm to give you medications). It is usually continued during your procedure along with other medications given through your IV, as well as gases you breath.
REGIONAL ANESTHESIA
This involves the injection of a local anesthetic to provide numbness and loss of pain or sensation to a large region of the body. This technique includes spinal blocks, epidural blocks, and arm and leg blocks.
MONITORED ANESTHESIA CARE (TWILIGHT ANESTHESIA)
This consists of a local injection at the site of your surgery as well as the use of medications given to you through your IV to make you drowsy. While you are sedated, your anesthesiologist will monitor your body functions and make sure that you are safe and comfortable throughout your surgery.
IV SURGEON:
This is mild sedation given to you through an IV and directed by your surgeon. While you are sedated, a registered surgical nurse will monitor your body functions and make sure that you are safe and comfortable throughout your surgery. Depending on your surgery you may be given local pain medication at the site of surgery as well.
LOCAL ANESTHESIA
This provides numbness to a small area and may be injected by your surgeon. Your anesthesiologist and physician will discuss the full range of information regarding the use and advantages of each of these anesthetic techniques with you.
If you have any questions about the anesthesia, talk to your surgeon or the anesthesiologist.