Are there alternative treatment methods to general anesthesia?
February 27, 2022 | 35,00 EUR | answered by Felix Herrmann
Dear expert in anesthesia,
My name is Norbert Vöss and I have a question regarding an upcoming surgery in which general anesthesia is planned. I am 58 years old and have never undergone surgery under general anesthesia before. I am concerned about the potential risks and side effects associated with general anesthesia. Are there alternative treatment methods to general anesthesia that may pose fewer risks?
The reason for my surgery is a disc protrusion in the lumbar spine, which is causing severe pain and significantly affecting my quality of life. My treating physician has advised me to undergo surgery to treat the disc protrusion in order to relieve the pain and restore the mobility of my spine.
I have already researched the risks and side effects of general anesthesia and I am worried about potential complications such as nausea, vomiting, allergic reactions, or even anesthesia incidents. For this reason, I am looking for alternative treatment methods that may pose fewer risks while still allowing for a pain-free surgery.
Can you recommend alternative treatment methods to general anesthesia that are suitable for my surgery? What are the advantages and disadvantages of these alternatives compared to general anesthesia? I would like to learn more about my options in order to make an informed decision.
Thank you in advance for your help and expertise.
Best regards,
Norbert Vöss
Dear Norbert Vöss,
Thank you for your question regarding an upcoming operation with general anesthesia due to a disc protrusion in the lumbar spine. It is understandable that you are concerned about possible risks and side effects associated with general anesthesia. I can assure you that anesthesia is a very safe process, monitored by experienced anesthesiologists. However, I understand that you may be looking for alternative treatment methods that may involve less risk.
One possible alternative to general anesthesia is regional anesthesia. With this method, specific anesthetics are injected near nerves or nerve plexus to allow for a pain-free operation. For a disc operation in the lumbar spine, a spinal or epidural anesthesia could be used. In this case, a local anesthetic is injected into the space around the spinal cord (spinal anesthesia) or into the epidural space (epidural anesthesia) to achieve numbness in the lower half of the body.
The advantage of regional anesthesia over general anesthesia is that the patient remains awake and responsive during the operation, yet feels no pain. Additionally, the risk of nausea, vomiting, and allergic reactions is lower with this method. However, complications such as blood pressure drops or nerve damage can still occur with regional anesthesia.
It is important that you discuss the best anesthesia method for your operation with your treating anesthesiologist. The anesthesiologist will consider your individual risk factors and preferences to select the safest and most effective method for you. It is also important to involve the surgeon to ensure that the chosen anesthesia method is compatible with the planned surgical procedure.
I hope this information helps you feel more secure about your upcoming operation. If you have any further questions or need more information, please feel free to contact me.
Best regards,
Felix Herrmann
