GENERAL ANESTHESIA FOR SURGEONS

Course overview

THE PRIMARY GOAL OF GENERAL ANESTHESIA IS RENDERING A PATIENT UNCONSCIOUS AND UNABLE TO FEEL PAINFUL STIMULI WHILE CONTROLLING AUTONOMIC REFLEXES. THERE ARE 5 MAIN CLASSES OF ANESTHETIC AGENTS: INTRAVENOUS (IV) ANESTHETICS, INHALATIONAL ANESTHETICS, IV SEDATIVES, SYNTHETIC OPIOIDS, AND NEUROMUSCULAR BLOCKING DRUGS. EACH CLASS HAS PARTICULAR STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES, AND BEING FAMILIAR WITH THESE CHARACTERISTICS AS WELL AS KEY SIDE EFFECTS CAN PROVE BENEFICIAL FOR THE SURGICAL TEAM. THE ACTIVITY REVIEWS THE PRINCIPLES OF GENERAL ANESTHESIA, WITH PARTICULAR FOCUS ON THE COMMON MEDICATIONS AND EQUIPMENT UTILIZED AND THE DETECTION OF EMERGENCIES IN PATIENTS WHO HAVE UNDERGONE ANESTHESIA. THIS ACTIVITY HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN PROVIDING GENERAL ANESTHESIA, WHICH REQUIRES WORKING KNOWLEDGE, CLEAR COMMUNICATION, AND PARTICIPATION OF ALL OPERATING ROOM PERSONNEL.