Anaesthesia
Cosmetic Surgery - Plastic Surgery - Aesthetic Medicine - Reconstructive Surgery
Anaesthesia is defined as the deprivation or loss of sensitivity to pain allowing for the carrying out of a painful diagnostic or therapeutic procedure.
Anaesthesia may be applied just to the localized area of the body where the procedure must be performed, this is called regional anaesthesia. We distinguish between epidural anaesthesia, spinal anaesthesia (central regional anaesthesia) and the anaesthetic blocking of nerve plexus and nerves (nerve blocks) the purpose of which is to desensitize a limb (peripheral regional anaesthesia).
General anaesthesia leads to a state that is comparable to deep sleep.
This state is obtained by injection of anaesthetic drugs and/or the use of gas.
In epidural and spinal anaesthesia, the injection site is located between two vertebrae.
In the case of a local anaesthesia, local anaesthetic is injected into the surgical area.
A pre-anaesthetic consultation is required and must be held several days before surgery. The purpose of this consultation is to take cognizance of patient's medical and surgical history, secure any additional information through specific tests (electrocardiogram, laboratory tests etc.). The ultimate goal is to choose the anaesthetic technique best suited to the patient, his/her condition and the procedure that is planned.
Anaesthesia is preceded by a premedication to induce sedation and ease anxiety.
Throughout the period of anaesthesia, the patient is under the constant supervision of the anaesthesiologist.
Reanimation takes in all measures providing automatic supervision (monitoring) and the restoration of vital functions: respiration, circulation, humoral balance, etc. The administration of anaesthetic agents is stopped, the patient wakes up more quickly or slowly depending on his or her pre-surgical condition, the drugs administered and the duration of the procedure.
If the surgical procedure was long and difficult and/or if the patient is considered frail, it is sometimes necessary to transfer the patient to the intensive care unit where surveillance is on-going...
No surgery is risk free from risk and some related conditions, such as the patient's age and lifestyle (tobacco, alcohol, obesity etc) may increase the risk of complications.
About 8 million French nationals undergo anaesthesia every year.