Any questions or concerns regarding your personal medical history should be discussed directly with your anesthesiologist.
Before a surgical procedure, it is important that you ask questions to gain a better understanding of what to expect and to prepare yourself for your procedure. Below we have provided a
list of frequently asked questions, derived from the Lifeline to Modern Medicine website. We encourage you to further explore this website, developed by the American Society of Anesthesiologists, for additional information and educational videos regarding anesthesia.
FAQ
Anesthesiology - Commonly Asked Questions
Is Anesthesia Safe?
Advances In Patient Safety
Due to advances in patient safety, the risks of anesthesia are very low. Over the past 25 years, anesthesia-related deaths have decreased from two deaths per 10,000 anesthetics administered to one death per 200,000 to 300,000 anesthetics administered.
Certain types of illnesses such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and obesity, can increase your anesthesia risks. Your anesthesiologist will discuss an anesthetic plan tailored to your health status to safely guide you through your surgical procedure.
What Are The Risks Of Anesthesia?
Risk Factors
All surgical procedures have some inherent risks, and they are often dependent upon a number of factors including the type of surgery, and the health of the patient. Fortunately, adverse events are very rare. Your anesthesiologist will devise a specific anesthetic plan and take precautions to prevent adverse events from occurring. The specific risks of the different anesthetic approaches vary with the procedure and the health of the patient. We encourage you to discuss any concerns you may have with your anesthesiologist.
How Can I Lower My Risk of Nausea and Vomiting After Surgery?
Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting (PONV)
Through the development of newer anesthetics and nausea prevention medications, the number of patients who experience postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) has decreased. However, patients who are sensitive to narcotics or are prone to motion-sickness tend to be at an increased risk for PONV.
Different kinds of nausea prevention medications can be given in combination before and during surgery to reduce the risk of PONV. Be sure to let your anesthesiologist know in advance if you are at risk for PONV, or have experienced PONV after a previous surgery.
Should I continue To Take My Medications Prior To Surgery?
Learn About Medication Use Before and After Surgery
It is important to tell the doctors providing your care what medications you are taking prior to surgery so that they can be involved in making the decisions about stopping or continuing these medications. Below are a few common medications to discuss with your anesthesiologist:
Aspirin and Plavix: These are drugs that are used to prevent blood clots. These medications can lead to an increased risk of bleeding during surgery. The decision to stop aspirin or Plavix is based both on the reason you take these medications and on the risk of bleeding during surgery.
Diuretics ("water pills"); These medications are commonly prescribed for treating high blood pressure. This class of drug can cause changes to electrolyte levels, such as potassium and calcium. If you take diuretics your anesthesiologist may perform certain laboratory testing before surgery.
Diabetes Medications: Diabetes is commonly treated with insulin or oral medications to help control blood glucose levels. Your anesthesiologist may decrease your usual morning insulin dose or discontinue your oral medication before surgery.
Always speak with an anesthesiologist or your primary care doctor to discuss your particular medications before any surgical procedure.