Definition: General anesthesia is a type of sedation that uses several medications to render the patient unconscious and unable to move. The medications are given both through an IV and mixed with oxygen and inhaled.
This combination of medications insures that the patient is unaware of any pain caused by surgery and also prevents the patient from moving during surgery, potentially causing a surgical error.
The patient is unable to move after the medications are given so a breathing tube is placed into the patient's airway and connected to the ventilator to help the patient breathe.
Related Information: All About Anesthesia
Pronunciation: an-es-thee-zhuh
Also Known As: anesthesia, total anesthesia,
Alternate Spellings: anesthaesia
Examples: General anesthesia was used during my surgery so I don't remember the procedure.
