Types of Anesthesia

What Type of Anesthesia Will You Need?

Many people believe that receiving anesthesia means they will be asleep during their surgical procedure, but in actuality, there are several types of anesthesia, and not all of them put you under for an operation. If you are undergoing a relatively simple, minimally invasive procedure, chances are you will only require a minimal amount of sedation applied to the surgical area.

Your surgery may require one of the following types of anesthesia:

• Local anesthesia – In minor surgeries, local anesthesia is injected directly into the surgical site. This form of sedative only numbers the affected area; you will remain awake during the procedure.
• Regional anesthesia – A regional anesthetic is used to numb the nerves in an entire bodily area such as the spine or abdomen. Regional anesthesia may take the form of a nerve block or epidural and is most often used for surgeries involving large organs or a cluster of body parts. This method does not put you to sleep, but your doctor may provide you with a sedative to help you relax.
• General anesthesia – This is the most powerful form of anesthesia and puts patients to sleep during surgery. It is typically administered through a breathing mask or IV and used for complex, time-consuming surgeries such as a hip replacement. A breathing tube may be inserted into the windpipe while you are asleep and is not always removed before you wake up. Your anesthesiologist will greet you in the recovery room to help you get back on your feet.

Your anesthesiologist will tell you what kind of anesthesia will be used for your surgery well in advance of the procedure date. They will also tell you how you can prepare, which typically includes fasting for several hours before the surgery.