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Pre-op Considerations


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    • What is an Anesthesiologist? What is a Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)?
      An anesthesiologist is a Medical Doctor who has finished 4 years of undergraduate training, 4 years of medical school, and 3 - 5 years of residency training. Only upon completion of this training does he/she become eligible for board certification. A nurse anesthetist is a Registered Nurse with at least 2 years of intensive care experience followed by 18 months - 2 years of anesthesia training. PPAA currently employs no Nurse Anesthetists. You will be cared for by a Physician Anesthesiologist.

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    Will the Anesthesiologist be with me throughout the Entire Surgery?
      Your Anesthesiologist doctor will be with you for the duration of your anesthesia. The nurses caring for you in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) will always be working under your anesthesiologist or surgical Doctor's supervision.

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    What are the Risks of Anesthesia?
      The most common complications are nausea and vomiting, sore throat, need for airway (breathing) support, low blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythm, high blood pressure, long term disorientation and confusion, and heart attacks. These complications are increased in emergency procedures, patients with complex medical histories, and in orthopedic or abdominal surgeries.

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    What has been done to increase Patient Safety under Anesthesia?
      With the development of new monitoring techniques, anesthesia has become safer. The ability to monitor a patient's oxygen saturation and the concentration of carbon dioxide that is exhaled during breathing are critical to decreased risks. Even with the advances in technology, the most important aspect of the anesthetic is the vigilance of the anesthesia care provider. The risk of death from the anesthetic today is estimated at 1/200,000 anesthetics. This number in 1982 was 1/10,000

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    Why can't I Eat or Drink before Surgery?
      The likelihood that a patient will vomit during the anesthetic is increased with a short time interval between eating or drinking and the surgery. The most likely times for someone to vomit are going to sleep and waking up. If you vomit when your reflexes which protect your airway are impaired by the anesthetic medications, you risk life-threatening complications of aspiration and pneumonia. Emergency surgery requires special precautions be taken to minimize these risks.

      Adults should not eat solid food, nor drink liquids that cannot be seen through for 8 hours prior to surgery. Ask for the policy covering NPO (nothing by mouth) requirements for children at the location of your surgery.

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    Do I Need an IV before going to sleep?
      Almost all adults will have an IV inserted prior to their anesthetic for the induction of anesthesia, fluid therapy, and as an avenue for medications for pain and nausea. The same is true for children, but the majority of the IVs are placed after the child goes to sleep.

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    FAQ Forum Menu
  • Pre-op Considerations
  • Anesthesia for Pediatric Surgery
  • Recovery from Anesthesia
  • Obstetric Anesthesia
  • Acute Pain Management