Anesthesia is a variable set of drugs or gases used to numb pain and sensation for surgical procedures. There a four types of anesthesia used for children depending on the extent of the surgery and the time allotted from beginning to the end of the procedure necessary to keep the individual comfortable, relaxed and free from pain. The Society for Pediatric Anesthesia states that the most common side effects of anesthesia include agitation, dizziness, drowsiness, sensations attributed to being cold, nausea, pain at the injection site, sore throat and vomiting.
General
General anesthesia is delivered as either an injection of medication or inhaled gases. The goal behind the use of general anesthesia, according to the Nemours Foundation, is to sedate the patient and keep them pain free during the entire surgical procedure. This method is strictly used in an operating room under the supervision of an anesthesiologist, a doctor specifically trained and specializing in the medication of patients for surgery. This medication can be long-acting and adjusted as necessary throughout the procedure. Effects can last for hours to days post-surgery.
Conscious Sedation
Conscious sedation is when the child is delivered an injection that makes him extremely lethargic or drowsy yet does not put him to sleep. According to Medline Plus Medical Encyclopedia, the child remains awake and pain-free in a relaxed state without much recall of the events taking place. The effects are short-acting and tend to wear off within a few hours following the procedure.
Localized Anesthetic
A localized anesthetic is given to children undergoing routine procedures covering a small area. This is described by Cincinnati Children's Hospital as an injected medication that is delivered just beneath the skin providing temporary numbness to the area. Localized anesthesia is generally reserved for outpatient surgical procedures conducted in a clinic or dental office. The effects are very short-acting and wear off within about an hour.
Regional Anesthetic
Regional anesthesia is also delivered to children in an injection. According to the Nemours Foundation, the medication provides both analgesic and sedative effects and is administered directly into the spine. This medication is used to block the transmission of nerve signals and pain receptors in the brain, while it also paralyzes the lower half of the body. This medication is mostly used in an operating room under the direct care of an anesthesiologist or doctor who is a nerve pain specialist with advanced training in the process. The effects of this medication can be adjusted according to need and time requirements for the procedure. Side effects can generally last from a few hours to days or months depending on the procedure.
