www.cnn.com Many people in the UK and Ireland report they have been conscious during surgery, despite being given general anesthesia.
In today's news BBC report, one in every 19,000 operations resulted in some form of awareness for the patient, resulting in their worst nightmare.
Sometimes this is expected, like with brain surgery where the patient must stay conscious. However, those undergoing a normal procedure say it feels like being trapped in a corpse. Lying paralyzed on the operating table, feeling every incision of the surgeon's knife but being unable to speak, move or scream. Some remember hearing their surgeons talk, and a few recall intense pain.
In the largest study of its kind, scientists found episodes were more likely when women were given general anesthesia for Caesarean sections or patients were given certain drugs.
Researchers from two UK Associations studied three million operations over a period of one year.
In today's news BBC report, one in every 19,000 operations resulted in some form of awareness for the patient, resulting in their worst nightmare.
Sometimes this is expected, like with brain surgery where the patient must stay conscious. However, those undergoing a normal procedure say it feels like being trapped in a corpse. Lying paralyzed on the operating table, feeling every incision of the surgeon's knife but being unable to speak, move or scream. Some remember hearing their surgeons talk, and a few recall intense pain.
In the largest study of its kind, scientists found episodes were more likely when women were given general anesthesia for Caesarean sections or patients were given certain drugs.
Researchers from two UK Associations studied three million operations over a period of one year.
www.thesundaytimes.co.uk More than 300 people reported some level of awareness during surgery. Most episodes were short-lived and occurred before surgery started or after operations were completed. But some 41% of cases resulted in long-term psychological harm.
Patients described a variety of experiences—panic, pain, or chocking. The most alarming were being unable to communicate.
Each experience was analyzed to identify influential factors.
About 90% occurred when a possible inappropriate balance of medication muscle-relaxant drugs were combined with others to dampen consciousness.
Many reports about this horrifying situation have been released over the years.
In 2013: A study of UK operations done under general anesthetic revealed more than 150 people lived through this nightmare in just a year.
In 2008: NBC news reported 30,000 US people a year were awake during surgery.
Patients described a variety of experiences—panic, pain, or chocking. The most alarming were being unable to communicate.
Each experience was analyzed to identify influential factors.
About 90% occurred when a possible inappropriate balance of medication muscle-relaxant drugs were combined with others to dampen consciousness.
Many reports about this horrifying situation have been released over the years.
In 2013: A study of UK operations done under general anesthetic revealed more than 150 people lived through this nightmare in just a year.
In 2008: NBC news reported 30,000 US people a year were awake during surgery.
www.thesun.co.uk I have a vague memory of someone in my family telling me they experienced this. They heard the surgeons talking—even laughing—without due care for what they were doing. I wasn't sure whether to believe this at the time. The skepticism was based on a previous revelation from my grandmother, who said the walls opened after hours and strange people came through to meddle with the sleeping patients beside her. I put that down to drug hallucinations and her love of science fiction.
I've had about twenty operations during my life. None of them have frightened me. After the last, I woke in intensive care and a nurse questioned me. I said no, I didn't remember anything. Later, I found out that my femur had shattered during a third hip replacement and I'd lost a lot of blood. The result has left me with a worsening limp as I age. But, I didn't wake during the procedure.
How about you? Do you have an experience to share?
I've had about twenty operations during my life. None of them have frightened me. After the last, I woke in intensive care and a nurse questioned me. I said no, I didn't remember anything. Later, I found out that my femur had shattered during a third hip replacement and I'd lost a lot of blood. The result has left me with a worsening limp as I age. But, I didn't wake during the procedure.
How about you? Do you have an experience to share?
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