Anesthesia for Pneumonectomy

Many surgical procedures require some form of anesthesia. For a pneumonectomy, you will be given general anesthesia, which puts you to sleep so that you feel no pain or movement during the procedure. Spinal anesthesia may also be used. A tube that discharges anesthetic is placed in your skin next to your spinal cord. Complications and side effects are possible with anesthesia for pneumonectomy, so tell your doctors about any allergies or health conditions you have.

Pneumonectomy Information

Anesthesia for Pneumonectomy: An Overview

Anesthesia is a type of medicine that keeps you from feeling pain during the surgery. For a pneumonectomy, general anesthesia is used. This puts you into a deep sleep, and you shouldn't feel any pain, pressure, or movement during the surgery.

With general anesthesia, you will first be asked to breathe through an oxygen mask. Your anesthesia provider will give you medicine through your IV that makes you feel very relaxed, and you should quickly fall asleep. After you are sound asleep, a breathing tube will be placed in your windpipe. This tube helps you breathe during the pneumonectomy. Your anesthesia care team will give you other medications through your IV and/or breathing tube as needed during your procedure.

There are many potential side effects and complications of general anesthesia, so be sure to ask any questions you might have when you talk with your anesthesia provider before the pneumonectomy. Also, tell him or her about any allergies or health conditions you have. This will help your anesthesia care team know how to take care of you during the surgery and if you will need any special attention.

You may also get spinal anesthesia. For this type of pain relief, a thin, flexible tube called a catheter is put through your skin and next to your spinal cord, where it releases anesthetic. This is used to decrease your pain after the surgery.