Unforgettable Experiences: Waking Up During Surgery

Have you ever woken up during surgery and experienced what was happening around you? This is a rare but unforgettable occurrence, especially if it happened to someone you know. In this article, we delve into a personal account of such an experience and explore the measures taken to prevent this from happening in modern medical practices.

Personal Experience: Waking Up During Surgery

Have you ever woken up during a surgery and felt the surgery but couldn’t move? Heard what was happening during the surgery? This happened to me during a procedure in which a neurostimulator was implanted into my body. In 2017, I had a surgery that should have been routine, but it involved a local anesthesia that didn't take very well.

After the first dose began to wear off, I was still awake and quite vocal about it. I was in a lot of pain, and despite the anesthesiologist continually administering more medication, it seemed to have no effect. Suddenly, I pulled myself up on my elbows, which was not an easy feat given the position I was in. I was on my stomach, and I said as loudly as I could, 'something's not right.' And abruptly, my heart stopped. This wasn't the first time I'd felt this sensation, and I knew exactly what was happening.

I could hear everything, including the surgeon's barking orders, although I couldn't respond in any way. After a shot of epinephrine, I came back and the surgery was finished with huge doses of local anesthesia. It was a very painful experience.

Understanding the Cause: Vasovagal Syncope

Months later, I consulted with a different anesthesiologist prior to a revision surgery for the same thing. He explained that the previous anesthesia cocktail contained Versed, a benzodiazepine to which I have an opposite response, and this was noted in my medical chart. This time, the anesthesiologist used only propofol. The consulting cardiologist found that I had experienced a sudden cardiac arrest due to an 'enhanced vasovagal syncope,' and the surgeon adjusting the position of the neurostimulator implant triggered this.

Today, the medical community has advanced significantly in monitoring anesthesia. New monitors like BIS (Bispectral Index) can detect brain function and alert the anesthesia provider to the level of consciousness. Vital signs alone may not always be sufficient to detect such a rare event. Even with these advanced technologies, unfortunate stories from years ago still exist.

Preventive Measures in Modern ORs

As surgery awareness during anesthesia becomes more common, healthcare providers are taking several preventive measures. These include:

Continuous monitoring of vital signs such as heart rate, blood pressure, and SpO2 (oxygen saturation). Use of BIS monitoring to assess the level of consciousness. Administering the right type and amount of anesthesia medications to prevent complications. Regular review of patients' medical histories, particularly those with known anesthesia sensitivities or medical anomalies.

Luckily, these incidents are very rare in modern ORs. Most of the stories are from years ago, and today, many patients have a much higher assurance of safety during their procedures.

In conclusion, while waking up during surgery may seem like a nightmare, advancements in medical technology and practices have significantly increased patient safety. If you or someone you know has experienced this, rest assured that healthcare providers are always striving to improve and prevent such incidents.