When is anesthesia unsafe?

Question

My wisdom teeth are growing in and I'm a little nervous about being put under to remove them--no way I will stay awake for it. I've had no known health problems but I've used drugs recreationally in the past. Never went too overboard but my oral surgeon said given that if I had previously used drugs being put under is very unsafe. Is this true? Should I have an EKG just to have my wisdom teeth removed? I didn't think I got that crazy but it 'not waking up' a possibility?

Answer 1

there is no safe anesthetic, only a safe anesthesiologist... i presume that you are having oral surgery, ive noticed that dentist in north america ( i presume you are from either the USA or Canada ) are very fond of giving general anesthetic ( their choice seems to be a combination of Nitrous oxide plus oxygen )... while general anesthesia is relatively safe vigilant monitoring is a must while the patient is under the anesthetic, ( blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen saturation must be monitored ), now while the dentist is doing the procedure he/she will not have the time nor vigilance to do surgery and monitor you at the same time... also if you are over 40 years old a cardio-lulmonary evaluation should be done by an internist... wisdom tooth extraction can be done under local anesthesia but if you choose to do it under general anesthesia make sure that you have a board certified anesthesiologist ( not a nurse anesthetist )giving you the anesthetic... he/she will then choose the appropriate work-up needed to be done and give you the necessary pre-operative orders ( patients have to have nothing per orem at least 6 hours before he procedure )... so in answer to yiur query, anesthesia is unsafe when it is not given by a qualified practitioner...hopefully i was of some help to you, thanks

Answer 2

I will be honest, i am not an expert. I however have been placed under anesthesia 6 times in the hospital and 2 times in the dental chair... and i am still here. I suppose it would be good to know if you were being placed under by a anesthesiologist or a nurse anesthetist. I would not want a nurse to do place me under. It is the skill of the particular anestesiologist that makes it safe or not. My preference would be if at all possible to be placed under anesthesia in the hospital O.R.. Ask Dr if you can do it in the hospital because you are afraid. He may help you do this (and also he can bill the insurance at a higher cost for hosp, so he would make more money). In order for your health insurance to cover as 'outpatient hospital procedure/surgery', your oral surgeon may need to first make a failed attempt in his office... as if you freak out from fear and he can not proceed, and has to cancel you for the day, then the insurance would /should authorize for him to do at the hospital outpatient O.R. (operating room). An oral surgeon is more than a dentist and can do procedures at the hospitals he is on staff at- so he has a little clout with your insurance. When you are placed under for wisdom teeth, I feel fairly comfortable in thinking that you will be out for only a short period of time (+30min or so)(tho i could be way off on this too) and that for a short period, less meds are used to put you out and therefore more than likely, quite safe. I would feel the risk even in the office is minimal. Ask the Dr how long he has used and worked with 'your' anesthetist, as he is the one doing the most important part of the procedure; putting you out for a period of time.

You on the other hand, are saying you will not go under anesthesia so nothing to worry about. You are probably quite young and healthy- the Dr. may feel EKG not needed. Since you are questioning this I would suggest you go to your family Dr and have an EKG done in his office. It is usually acccepted as current by most hospitals for 30 days and under, prior to your procedure. Otherwise a repeat is required. If you do in office he will accept gladly take the EKG result.

Anyways- when I had my wisdom teeth removed I ate steak two days later and aftercare was not at all difficult. Just talked funny for a bit. I say you will do just fine, as you are young and healthy. It is very very rare for a young person to have any complications from anesthesia... but you always have to sign the consent for the worst possible scenario. Again, you will do fine. Keep popsicles on hand for afterward , some jello, and chicken soup. Another life experience along with many more to come.
Just do it!

Answer 3

I think General Anesthesia is used in hospitals for surgeries. You may be referring to Consicious Sedation. Conscious Sedation you are not truly asleep ,but out of it (la la land) and breathe on your own and respond to commands.
, although you think you were sleeping. General Anesthesia you need a tube down your throat to help breathe http://www.gaspasser.com/WhatIs.html
....I am sure a nurse anesthesist must also be certified.
not just anyone can administer it.
How can a dentist be administering anesthesa, monitoring you and doing his work at the same time without help?
I had a nurse anesthesiaologist administer to me about 6 times with no problems in the dental office. She watches the vitals.Never had a problem. The dentist never administered it, although some do.

Answer 4

Anesthesia is dangerous when the anesthesiologist doesnt know what he is doing.
I have used pot and let me tall ya there was a time when I used alot of pot and I have been put under 3 times and wel I am here writing this now.
Talk to a anestheiologist about it...what does a dentist know about anesthesia?
Which if you are going to be put under an athesiologist will come visit with you, just be honest and let him/her decide.

Answer 5

It is unsafe when too much is used or mixed with other drugs...which is why you have an expert doing it.

If you lie to him about having other drugs in your body, then you risk your life. Then again, not waking up is not painful, is it?

Answer 6

Anesthesia is always a risky endeavor - to get a list of recommendations check out

www.anesthesiarisk.net

Answer 7

IMO definite. If its basically tooth cleansing, i might want to easily bypass it. The cat wouldn't have a lot longer and its better danger of the cat not waking up then to favor "sparkling" tooth at this age.

Answer 8

Anesthesia is only unsafe when you never wake up from it, unfortuantely at this time you can never sue them for it?

Answer 9

I WOULD LISTEN TO YOUR DENTIST IF I WERE YOU. MY MOTHER WENT IN FOR A ROUTINE PROCEDURE AND WAS PUT UNDER AND DIED, AND TO MY KNOWLEDGE SHE NEVER USED DRUGS.

Answer 10

You can do it under local...I would recommend that if possible.
Get an x-ray and see if it's serious or not.