Minimally Invasive Surgery

The Gallbladder and Gallstones: Surgery

About Anesthesia

Anesthesia is safe. Most people are more afraid of anesthesia than of the surgery itself. This is a normal reaction, since the patient is out of control in this situation. However, this fear is not reality-based, since modern anesthetic techniques are extremely safe.

Anesthesia is not a mystical trance patients are placed in from which they may not wake up. Anesthesia is a very controlled use of drugs to block certain body functions, such as muscle contraction, consciousness and pain. These drugs can be reversed by other drugs or by stopping their infusion into the veins.

While a patient is under anesthesia, all vital body functions are monitored, including EKG, blood pressure, blood-oxygen level and the amount of carbon dioxide in the breath.

Anesthesia is so safe that there is really no need to be worried about it. It is safer than driving a car or flying in an airplane. It is a daily event that occurs millions of times per day without problems.

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