Modern surgery would not exist without anesthesia procedures. Most operations would simply be impossible to perform, as patients would experience pain shock. With the development of medicine, more and more new methods of introducing a person into deep sleep began to appear. Today there is inhalation and non-inhalation anesthesia. The second type is considered more modern. This procedure is performed in several ways, which allows you to choose the best solution for each individual patient. But this method has both supporters and opponents. Therefore, it will be useful to learn about all the pros and cons of such a procedure.
What is non-inhalation anesthesia: characteristics
In this case, we are talking about one of the types of general anesthesia, so that the patient undergoes surgery completely painlessly. Immersion in deep sleep is carried out with the help of the introduction of drugs. They affect human brain cells. He falls into a so-called drug-induced sleep.
If we consider the similarity of non-inhalation andinhalation method, then in this case both methods are general anesthesia. However, they have a lot of differences. First of all, there are differences in the means for non-inhalation anesthesia and inhalation. In addition, experts note different levels of immersion in drug-induced sleep.
With a non-inhalation type procedure, the patient ceases to perceive pain faster. This is due to the fact that the drug is injected directly into the human blood. Therefore, he falls asleep much faster. Although the inhalation method usually does not take too long.
Also, among the differences between these methods, it is worth paying attention to the fact that when a drug is injected into a person’s vein, it is much easier to control his condition and sleep level. It is much easier for the doctor to understand whether the patient needs an additional dose of the drug or not.
Benefits of non-inhalation anesthesia
If we consider the advantages, then, first of all, it is worth paying attention to the fact that the patient does not experience discomfort. In this case, the introduction to sleep is carried out directly in the ward. This allows you to save a person from unnecessary stress.
Another advantage of non-inhalation anesthesia drugs is that they do not adversely affect the mucous membrane of the human oral cavity, as well as the upper respiratory tract. Therefore, the patient recovers much faster and does not experience such serious discomfort after surgery.
Also, experts note thatthat the use of non-inhalation anesthesia allows you to get rid of the many side effects of the usual local anesthesia. This means that the patient will not experience nausea, temporary amnesia or other unpleasant symptoms.
Another plus is that there is no need to use bulky equipment, which is necessary with the inhalation method. All the doctor needs is a syringe and an intravenous infusion. It is this method that is widely used in disaster medicine.
Cons of the method
If we consider the disadvantages of non-inhalation anesthesia, many note that it will not be possible to stop the effect of the drug quickly. That is, if the operation is carried out much faster than the expected time, then it is impossible to bring the patient out of drug sleep prematurely. He will be unconscious until the drug wears off.
Another disadvantage is that some reflex reactions in humans still persist. For example, if he suffered a severe injury. This can complicate the work of the surgeon. However, this is quite rare.
A more significant disadvantage is that the selected drug can be reused only after a fairly long time. This is explained by the fact that the means used for non-inhalation anesthesia have high cumulative abilities. This means that the drug is excreted from the body for a long time. This does not happen after inhalation anesthesia.
How it works
Considering the characteristics of inhalation and non-inhalation anesthesia, it becomes obvious that bothmethods have pros and cons. However, a more modern method is still being studied, so it may soon be possible to get rid of the undesirable effects of such anesthesia.
Even today, experts use those drugs that are much better soluble in lipids. This speeds up the process of the drug. It may have different effects depending on which barbiturate was chosen.
Also, the quality of non-inhalation anesthesia depends on how well it interacts with protein fractions. It is important to take into account the peculiarities of the metabolic processes of the patient's body.
Types of procedure
The classification of this method directly depends on the method chosen by the doctor to administer the active drug. Based on this, non-inhalation anesthesia is:
- intravenous;
- intramuscular;
- through the mouth;
- through the rectum;
- epidural.
It is worth considering all these methods in more detail.
Intravenous anesthesia
This method is considered the most popular today. The drug is injected into the patient's body intravenously or by drip. It can also be injected into the patient's neck or face during surgery.
Intubation is contraindicated for some patients, in which case non-inhalation anesthesia becomes the best solution. This method has fewer unpleasant consequences.
If we consider what drugs are used forsimilar anesthesia, then, as a rule, they belong to the group of barbiturates. They differ in that in this case there is no so-called excitation phase. Therefore, the patient recovers from anesthesia much easier and without consequences.
Also, doctors began to use drugs that have an ultrashort analgesic effect. For example, the drug "Propanidide" is distinguished by good reviews. It is believed that it has no toxic effects. Therefore, there is no risk that the patient will not develop any pathological reflexes after the operation.
Oral anesthesia
This method, in which drugs are administered through the patient's mouth, is practically not used in modern medical practice. This is due to many reasons. For example, it is more difficult for a doctor to determine exactly what dose a patient needs. In addition, it is almost impossible to determine how quickly the anesthetic will be absorbed into the mucous membrane of the mouth and gastrointestinal tract. Also, patients often experience complications in the gastrointestinal tract after the procedure. Patients complain of frequent nausea and vomiting.
On the other hand, this technique has found application in pediatrics. For example, a similar method is used for young patients who develop panic fear during any medical procedures.
In this case, sodium hydroxybutyrate is usually used in the minimum dosage. Thanks to this gentle anesthesia, the patient falls into a rather shallow sleep. Nevertheless, this allows you to provide him with assistance at the proper level. However, deep drug sleep is out of the question.
Rectal Anesthesia
This procedure is also called rectal anesthesia. Barbiturates are also used for this method. As a rule, doctors use basic anesthesia based on Narcolan. However, it is worth considering that this tool is considered extremely aggressive. Even with a slight overdose, the patient may stop breathing, which can lead to the most unfortunate outcome. Therefore, it is not surprising that this technique is used extremely rarely and is being phased out.
However, there are supporters of this method. They explain this by the fact that rectal anesthesia allows you to achieve the fastest possible effect due to the fact that the drug is absorbed into the blood faster. This method is non-traumatic and suitable for patients who are allergic to medications.
Epidural method
This type of anesthesia involves the use of certain narcotic-type substances. The agent is injected into the intervertebral space of the patient, closer to the lumbar region, or rather between the 3rd and 4th vertebrae. This method is used only when it comes to surgical intervention for problems with the pelvic organs. Also this anesthesia is used in urology. For example, if the operation will be performed on the patient's genitals. It is also used for injuries to the limbs. But for amputation of the legs, this method of anesthesia is completely unsuitable.
The active drug substance is injected into the bodypatient using a special catheter, in a jet way. The physician must proceed very carefully and slowly.
This method has not found wide application either. However, it is suitable for local anesthesia.
Regardless of the method of anesthesia, the doctor must make sure that the patient will endure such an introduction to the state of sleep. Often, people are allergic to certain drugs. Therefore, it is important to carry out all the necessary research and tests beforehand.
