Types of Anesthesia Used for Plastic Surgery

The use of anesthesia for surgery has been recorded in history as far back as to the time of the ancient Greeks and Egyptians. It used to prevent the patient from feeling pain during the procedure. Fortunately, modern anesthesia has come quite a long way from those early beginnings. Today’s anesthetic techniques are much safer and more effective than ever before. They are now used for a wide range of procedures in plastic surgery, ranging from simple dermal filler injections to surgical procedures such as tummy tucks or breast augmentations. Of course, the type of plastic surgery procedure will determine the type of anesthesia that is used. There are four types of anesthesia that may be used at Jefferson Plastic Surgery.

Local Anesthesia

This type of anesthesia will only numb a specific, small, localized area where the cosmetic procedure is to be performed. It is administered either as a topical ointment or as an injection just under the surface of the skin. The effects of a local anesthetic generally wear off within just an hour or two, and have very few, if any, risk of adverse side effects. Good examples of cosmetic procedures that will only require local anesthesia include any type of dermal filler injection to remove fine lines and wrinkles on the face, or lip fillers. Because these fillers are themselves only injected just under the skin, only a local anesthetic is required at each of the injection sites. Side effects are very minimal, and usually involve a tingling sensation in the area that has been numbed.

Regional Anesthesia

Regional anesthesia, also sometimes known as blocks, will numb a larger area than just a local anesthesia. One of the most common of these is an epidural spinal block, which will block out pain signals from the nervous system leading out of the spinal column, and is often used for women in childbirth.

Intravenous Sedation (Twilight Anesthesia)

Intravenous sedation (also known as twilight anesthesia) is the most recent innovation in types of anesthesia that can be used for surgery. Patients are sedated to the point that they are relaxed, feel no pain, and have little to no memory of the actual procedure. However, they are not completely unconscious, as is the case with a general anesthesia. The main advantage of this type of anesthesia is that it presents far fewer risks than with general anesthesia. The main side effects that patients may experience from intravenous sedation include headache, nausea, and vomiting.

General Anesthesia

With general anesthesia, the patient is completely unconscious. Their vitals, along with the amount of anesthetic that has been used, are carefully monitored by the anesthesiologist. General anesthesia is the riskiest of the four types of anesthesia. Some complications include swelling, infection, and increased heart rate and blood pressure.

It is important for patients to discuss with their plastic surgeon beforehand the type of anesthesia that will be used for the procedure. The goal is to keep the patient relaxed and free of pain, while at the same time reducing any unnecessary risks or side effects.