INFORMED CONSENT FOR GENERAL ANESTHESIA

Anesthesia is the medical procedure that allows a surgical operation to be performed without pain. Anesthesia can be performed by putting the patient to sleep (general anesthesia) or by numbing the part of the body where the operation is to be performed (local or regional anesthesia). Sometimes, after performing a local or regional anesthesia, it is necessary to switch to general anesthesia because the first one is insufficient. The anesthesiologist is in charge of indicating the type of anesthesia appropriate for each case, depending on the operation to be performed and the patient’s condition. In addition, he takes care of the patient’s general condition during the operation and treats any possible complications that may arise. Every anesthetic procedure always involves a minor risk that justifies its generalized use, but it is also evident that it is a procedure capable of causing acute injuries, chronic sequelae, serious anesthetic complications and even death; all of them in relation to the previous state of health, age, type, complexity and duration of the surgical intervention, as well as a consequence of allergic reactions or other unforeseeable factors. Each type of anesthesia has its own risks. Risks can never be completely eliminated. It is necessary that the patient warns of possible drug allergies, coagulation disorders, cardiopulmonary diseases, existence of prostheses, pacemakers, current medications or any other circumstance in the patient’s past medical history. RECOMMENDATIONS BEFORE GENERAL ANESTHESIA: Absolute fasting should be maintained in infants and neonates from 4 hours before surgery; in the rest of the food, fasting starts from 6 hours before. Failure to comply with this rule implies the suspension of surgery, except in emergency situations. You must keep any medication you are taking on a regular basis (e.g., your hypertension, heart pills), unless your doctor expressly instructs you otherwise. On the day of surgery you may take them with a sip of water without breaking the above rule. Only under strict medical prescription, the patient must suspend, from one week before surgery, medications that could affect blood clotting (e.g. Aspirin, Adiro, Asasantin, Tiklid, Tromalyt, Disgren, Persantin, etc …). WHAT DOES GENERAL ANESTHESIA CONSIST OF? Anesthesia is applied by canalizing a vein, through which the necessary serums and medications will be administered according to each situation and the type of surgery planned. Due to the effect of the drugs, the patient will be asleep and relaxed during the entire surgery. During anesthesia it is necessary to place a tube, through the mouth or nose, which reaches the trachea (the tube that connects the throat to the lungs). This tube is connected to a respirator whose function is to maintain breathing. Adhesive electrodes placed on the chest will allow monitoring of your heartbeat and heart rate. A device will also be placed to measure your blood pressure and a device on your finger (pulse oximeter) to measure the amount of oxygen in your blood. RISKS OF SURGERY UNDER GENERAL ANESTHESIA: Exceptionally, the introduction of the tube up to the trachea may involve some difficulty and may damage the trachea and, in spite of being done carefully, may damage some teeth. During the placement of the tube, part of the stomach contents can pass into the lung and cause respiratory alterations. This complication is serious, but very rare. The administration of serums and medications, which are essential during anesthesia, can exceptionally produce allergic reactions. These reactions can be serious, but they are of an extraordinary nature. Other possible complications are the following: laryngospasm and/or bronchospasm (due to airway manipulation), postoperative hoarseness, nausea and vomiting, muscle pain, phlebitis at the venipuncture site. In any case, should a complication occur, you should know that all the technical means of this center are available to solve it.

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