3 types of anesthesia

Having surgery or a procedure? This means that you will receive some type of anesthesia. Anesthesia helps control pain during a surgery or procedure by using a medicine called anesthetics. It can help control breathing, blood pressure, blood flow, and heart rate and rhythm.

The type of anesthesia you receive depends on the type of surgery/procedure, length of procedure, your health, and the preference of you and your doctors. Here are three different types of anesthesia:

1. General anesthesia: Patient is unconscious and feels nothing. Patient receives medicine by breathing it or through an IV.
2. Local anesthesia: Patient is wide awake during surgery. Medicine is injected to numb a small area.
3. Regional anesthesia: Patient is awake, and parts of the body are asleep. Medicine is injected.

There are pros and cons to these different types of anesthesia. Some types can result in less pain afterward or a faster recovery. Your hand surgeon and anesthesiologist will discuss the risks and benefits of anesthesia prior to your surgery. Learn about this topic and more at www.HandCare.org.