Can you feel pain during surgery?
March 18, 2022 | 25,00 EUR | answered by Laura Hahn
Dear Doctor,
My name is Christian Hering and I have a question regarding anesthesia during surgeries. I will undergo surgery soon and I have some concerns about the possibility of feeling pain during the procedure.
My current health condition is good, however, I have had negative experiences with pain during medical procedures in the past. This has led me to worry whether I might feel pain again during the surgery.
I know that anesthesia ensures that the patient is sedated during the operation and does not feel pain. However, I am concerned that something might go wrong and I might experience pain.
Therefore, I am wondering if it is possible to feel pain during a surgery and what measures can be taken to ensure that this does not happen. Are there specific techniques or medications used during anesthesia to prevent pain?
I want to make sure that my procedure is as painless as possible and would like to learn more about how anesthesia protects me during the surgery.
Thank you in advance for your support and for answering my questions.
Sincerely,
Christian Hering
Dear Mr. Hering,
Thank you for your question regarding anesthesia during surgeries. It is understandable that you are concerned about whether you could feel pain during the procedure, especially due to your negative experiences in the past. It is important that you feel safe and well-informed before undergoing surgery.
Typically, a form of anesthesia is used during surgeries to ensure that the patient does not feel any pain during the procedure. There are various types of anesthesia that can be used depending on the type of surgery and the individual needs of the patient.
One of the most common forms is general anesthesia, where the patient is sedated and put into a deep sleep to not feel any pain throughout the entire surgery. This is usually achieved by administering medications such as Propofol and other anesthetics.
Additionally, there is also local anesthesia, where a specific area of the body is numbed to prevent pain during minor procedures. This is often used in minimally-invasive surgeries or certain diagnostic procedures.
Furthermore, regional anesthesia techniques such as epidural or spinal anesthesia can be used to numb a larger area of the body and prevent pain during the surgery. These are often used in major surgeries such as childbirth or orthopedic procedures.
It is important to emphasize that the anesthesia team monitors throughout the procedure whether the patient is pain-free and administers additional medication if necessary to ensure that the patient does not feel any pain.
In rare cases, a patient may wake up during surgery or feel pain. This is known as "awareness" and usually occurs with very deep anesthesia techniques. In such cases, it is important for the patient to immediately inform the anesthesia team so that measures can be taken to alleviate the pain.
Overall, it is important that you openly communicate your concerns with your anesthesia team and ensure that all necessary measures are taken to ensure that your procedure is as pain-free as possible. Your anesthesiologist will take into account your individual needs and choose the appropriate anesthesia method for you.
I hope I was able to answer your questions comprehensively and wish you all the best for your upcoming surgery. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any further questions or concerns.
Best regards,
Laura Hahn
